Lollo Rosso Darky

Family: Asteraceae Leafy Green

Planting Schedule

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Velvety rosettes of Lollo Rosso Darky unfurl in a dramatic, wine-dark palette—deep burgundy leaves with a faint, silken sheen that looks almost lacquered in the garden light.

The flavor is pleasantly tangy and sweet, with a tender, ruffled texture that stays crisp and lively from first harvest through repeat cuttings. Ideal for fresh salads and vibrant garnishes, its bold color makes every bowl look freshly dressed with color and character.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 45 DaysHabit: Rosette

Botanical illustration of Lollo Rosso Darky

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Lollo Rosso Darky Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	May 4th	May 25th	Jul 9th – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Apr 27th	May 18th	Jul 2nd – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Apr 17th	May 8th	Jun 22nd – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Apr 17th	May 8th	Jun 22nd – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Apr 21st	May 12th	Jun 26th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Apr 17th	May 8th	Jun 22nd – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 15th	May 6th	Jun 20th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Apr 10th	May 1st	Jun 15th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Apr 6th	Apr 27th	Jun 11th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Apr 3rd	Apr 24th	Jun 8th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 28th	Apr 18th	Jun 2nd – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 23rd	Apr 13th	May 28th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Mar 13th	Apr 3rd	May 18th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Mar 4th	Mar 25th	May 9th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 23rd	Mar 16th	Apr 30th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Feb 6th	Feb 27th	Apr 13th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Jan 12th	Feb 2nd	Mar 19th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	45
Sun Requirements	Part Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Surface
Germination Temp (°F)	40
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	5

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Lollo Rosso Darky brings a tangy-sweet flavor with a delicate, ruffled crunch that holds up for repeat handfuls—no mushy lettuce sadness. Its faint bitterness loves bright acid and salty finishes, so it really sings with lemon, aged cheese, and cured meat rather than heavy creamy dressings.

Best Uses

tossed salads where the leaves stay crisp after dressing
fresh, no-cook bowls topped with warm proteins
burger/flatbread lift-leaves that add texture without watering down
garnish duty for color—especially with vinaigrettes and citrus

Flavor Profile

tangy-sweet bite tender ruffled crunch slight herbal bitterness on the finish

Kitchen Pairings

lemon vinaigrette goat cheese Parmigiano-Reggiano balsamic vinegar extra-virgin olive oil prosciutto

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects Lactuca sativa (Lollo Rosso Darky), and how can I control it?

Lettuce commonly suffers from aphids and downy mildew (a fast-moving fungal issue in cool, damp weather). Rinse plants with a strong spray of water to knock off aphids, then remove heavily infested leaves and keep airflow by thinning so the frills dry quickly. For downy mildew, avoid overhead watering, water at soil level, and remove infected leaves immediately to prevent spread.

How often should I water Lollo Rosso Darky during its main growing phase, and what soil moisture should I aim for?

During the ~45-day growth to harvest, keep the soil consistently evenly moist—aim for damp-to-the-touch top 1 inch without letting it stay soggy. In warm weather, this often means watering about 1–3 times per week, but only when the top inch begins to dry; in cooler conditions, you may need less. If lettuce dries too much and then gets a sudden soaking, it can turn bitter and slow growth, so maintain steady moisture.

How do I tell when Lollo Rosso Darky is ready to harvest?

Harvest when the rosettes are full-sized for the variety and the leaves feel tender rather than tough, typically around 45 days from sowing. Look for frilly outer leaves that are at least several inches long with good color, and pick by cutting the whole rosette near the soil line. If you harvest in the cool part of the day, the leaves stay crisp longer.