Red Little Gem

Family: Asteraceae Vegetable

Crisp as a fresh-picked jewel, Red Little Gem forms compact mini romaine heads with tender, ruby-tinged leaves that deepen to a rich garnet at the outer edges.

The flavor is pleasantly sweet and clean, with a gentle romaine snap—ideal for gardeners who want a quick, satisfying harvest from cool-season planting. Grow for refreshing salads and vibrant garnishes, or for quick wilted greens and silky sauces where its color stays lively and inviting.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 55 DaysHabit: Rosette

Botanical illustration of Red Little Gem

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 18th
Harvest Begins	Jun 12th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	55
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 Little Gem is built for that first bite: crisp, sweet, and just lightly bitter at the edges, so it won’t collapse under a tangy dressing. Use it raw for maximum snap or wilting-short in butter so it turns silky without going dull or gray.

Best Uses

torn-leaf salads that hold dressing without turning soggy
mini romaine cups for tuna/chicken salad—crunch stays through serving
quick sauté or wilt in butter/garlic where the garnet color stays bright
cold garnish for grain bowls and sandwiches

Flavor Profile

sweet, clean leaf flavor gentle romaine snap tender ruby-tinged bitterness at the outer edge

Kitchen Pairings

lemon vinaigrette balsamic vinegar Parmesan goat cheese bacon or prosciutto chickpeas

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease problem is most common with Lactuca sativa (Little Gem type) and how do I treat it?

A frequent problem is downy mildew (often shows as yellow patches on leaf tops with gray/purple growth underneath). Improve airflow by spacing heads and watering only at the soil line, then remove badly affected plants to slow spread; consider a labeled fungicide for lettuce downy mildew if symptoms are spreading quickly.

How often should I water Lactuca sativa during its main growing phase (about weeks 2–6)?

Keep the soil consistently evenly moist—aim for damp, not soggy—especially once seedlings establish and heads start forming. Water deeply about 2–3 times per week (more in hot part-sun), checking that the top 1–2 inches of soil stay moist; reduce watering if leaves start to look limp and the soil stays wet.

How can I tell when my Lactuca sativa (Red Little Gem) is ready to harvest?

Harvest at maturity around 55 days, when the head feels firm and the outer leaves are fully sized and crisp. Start harvesting when heads resist gentle squeeze (not loose or easily compressible), cutting at the base in the morning for best texture.