Lollo Rossa Darkness

Family: Asteraceae Leafy Green

Sink your senses into Lollo Rossa Darkness—an intensely alluring rosette of frilled leaves that reads like burgundy velvet under garden light.

Expect a crisp, tender bite with a lively, gently sweet edge, plus a deeper, darker coloration than classic Lollo types for striking salads and garnishes. Grow it for fresh, spoonable leaf salads and for vivid, color-forward bowls where its ruffled texture truly shines.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 45 DaysHabit: Rosette

Botanical illustration of Lollo Rossa Darkness

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 28th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jun 9th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	45
Sun Requirements	Part Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Surface
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	32
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

This darker Lollo leans crisp and tender rather than watery, with a sweet, clean edge that makes it stand up to sharp dressing. Choose it when you want frilly, burgundy leaves that stay crunchy and look dramatic spooned into bowls.

Best Uses

tear-and-toss salads where the frills catch vinaigrette
cold grain bowls needing a crunchy, spoonable green
use as a colorful garnish for heavier mains to cut richness

Flavor Profile

crisp, snappy bite gently sweet, lettuce-bright flavor finely frilled leaves with a tender chew slightly deeper, earthy undertone

Kitchen Pairings

lemon vinaigrette feta parmesan grilled chicken hard-boiled egg olive oil

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most common disease problem for Lactuca sativa (leaf lettuce) like Lollo Rossa Darkness, and how do I treat it?

Leaf lettuce is especially prone to downy mildew and botrytis (gray mold) when leaves stay wet and air movement is poor. Water early so foliage dries quickly, space plants so air can circulate, and remove any yellowing or gray-spotted leaves immediately. If disease is spreading, apply an approved fungicide labeled for lettuce downy mildew and rotate to a different mode of action the next round to prevent resistance.

How often should I water Lactuca sativa during the main growing phase?

During the 35–45 day growth window, keep the top 1–2 inches of soil consistently evenly moist—never waterlogged. In typical home gardens, this often means watering lightly 2–4 times per week depending on heat and container vs. bed conditions, and adjusting to prevent drying out between waterings. Mulch lightly around the plants to stabilize moisture, and avoid wetting the leaves to reduce lettuce disease pressure.

How can I tell when Lollo Rossa Darkness is ready to harvest?

Harvest about 45 days from sowing when the rosettes are firm and the outer leaves are full size for your spacing. Snip outer leaves first for a longer harvest, or harvest the whole head/rosette when it holds shape and the leaves are crisp rather than limp. If the center starts elongating or getting bitter, harvest promptly to avoid bolting flavor changes.