Red Iceberg

Family: Asteraceae Leafy Green

Crisp as freshly fallen snow, Red Iceberg forms tight, rounded heads with a dramatic blush of deep ruby to wine-red at the outer leaves.

The texture is satisfyingly crunchy from core to edge, with tender, pale centers that stay sweet and clean in cool weather. Grow Red Iceberg for standout salads and elegant layering—its striking color makes every bowl look garden-fresh from the first bite to the last.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 70 DaysHabit: Rosette

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	Jul 4th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	70
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	30
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Red Iceberg is for the people who want crunch that survives—tight heads, ruby outer leaves, and that sweet, cool core make it ideal for wedges and lightly dressed salads where it won’t go limp or taste bland.

Best Uses

chopped salads where the shards need to stay rigid under light dressing
iceberg-style wedge builds with creamy dressing and crispy toppings
simple salt-and-lemon treatments to highlight the cool sweetness
layered sandwiches where it adds a fresh, crunchy barrier

Flavor Profile

clean, sweet lettuce bite cool, crisp crunch mild grassy snap at the edges watery juiciness in the outer leaves

Kitchen Pairings

buttermilk ranch lemon vinaigrette bacon hard-boiled egg parmesan

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects Lactuca sativa (iceberg lettuce), and how can I manage it?

A frequent issue is downy mildew and tip burn-like stress, often triggered by cool-wet conditions and inconsistent moisture. Improve airflow with wider spacing, avoid wetting the leaves when watering, and remove the worst leaves early to slow spread. If mildew appears, use a labeled fungicide for lettuce/downy mildew and keep the soil evenly moist (not soggy) to reduce stress-related damage.

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

During head formation (after plants establish), keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged—about 1–2 inches of water per week depending on heat and soil type. Water deeply when the top 1 inch of soil starts to dry, because lettuce heads can become bitter or loose if moisture swings. In hot weather, you may need brief, more frequent watering to maintain even moisture.

How do I know when my red iceberg lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is ready to harvest?

Harvest at about 70 days when heads feel firm and have filled out, with crisp outer leaves and minimal leaf floppiness. Use the “gentle squeeze” test—if the head compresses easily, give it a few more days. Cut the head at the base early in the day for the best crispness, and don’t wait until leaves start to yellow heavily at the center.