Red Deer Tongue

Family: Asteraceae Leafy Green

Silken, tender leaves unfurl in a dramatic ribbon of color—deep green with a wine-red blush at the ribs—offering a sweet, crisp bite with a gentle, fresh lettuce savor.

“Red Deer Tongue” forms an airy loose rosette that stays pleasantly supple at 45 days, with a refined, tongue-like leaf shape that feels delicate yet resilient in the garden. Ideal for abundant harvests of fresh salads and vibrant greens, it shines wherever you want color-forward leaves—tossed, dressed, or layered for a striking, garden-to-bowl presentation.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 45 DaysHabit: Rosette

Botanical illustration of Red Deer Tongue

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	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Red Deer Tongue’s tender, ribboning leaves give you a crisp bite that stays supple instead of going limp, so it holds up under a light vinaigrette. The wine-red rib adds a faint, pleasantly cool bitterness—exactly what you want when paired with tangy acid and creamy cheese.

Best Uses

color-forward salad greens where you want a ribbon-like chew
lightly dressed bowls—vinaigrette or lemony dressing that won’t bruise the leaves
torn-leaf wraps with crunchy contrast
layering on sandwiches for a clean, cool bite

Flavor Profile

sweet, fresh lettuce savor crisp, delicate crunch silky-tender leaf texture mild, cool green bitterness at the ribs

Kitchen Pairings

sherry vinaigrette aged gouda goat cheese grilled chicken sesame oil lemon zest

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects Lactuca sativa (Deer Tongue) and how can I manage it?

For home gardens, slugs are a frequent problem on leafy Lactuca sativa, especially in cool, damp weather. Hand-pick at dusk, remove nearby hiding boards/weeds, and use a copper barrier or food-grade slug bait placed around the bed—not on the leaves. If you see yellowing with gray fuzzy growth, treat it as botrytis (leaf rot) by improving airflow (wider spacing) and removing infected leaves immediately to prevent spread.

How often should I water Deer Tongue lettuce during active growth, and what soil moisture level should I maintain?

During the 30–45 day growing period, keep soil consistently evenly moist—not waterlogged—so the leaves stay tender and don’t turn bitter. In typical home conditions, water 1–2 times per week to soak the top 6–8 inches, then adjust based on heat and rainfall (more often in warm part-sun sites). Avoid letting the bed dry out fully between waterings, which can trigger stress and faster bolting in lettuce.

How do I tell when Red Deer Tongue lettuce is ready to harvest?

Harvest at about 45 days from sowing when the heads/leaf rosettes are fully sized and the outer leaves feel crisp and sizable but not tough. For best quality, pick in the morning before heat builds, and look for leaves that are well-formed rather than small and thin. You can also do a “cut-and-come-again” harvest by snipping outer leaves first while leaving the center to regrow.