Red Romaine

Family: Asteraceae Leafy Green

Crisp as a fresh snowfall, Red Romaine forms tall, tightly cupped heads with a vivid burgundy-red outer blush that deepens toward the center.

The leaves are pleasantly tender and snappy—sweet, mild, and richly green at the heart—making Red Romaine a standout for gardeners who want both color and crunch. Grow it for standout salads and vibrant garnishes, or for quick sauté-style skillet use when you want its color to stay lively and its texture to remain pleasantly crisp.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 55 DaysHabit: Rosette

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

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jun 19th
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)	45
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	30
Harden Off (days)	5

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Red Romaine is all about that high-crisp, sweet-mild snap—treat it like a crunch ingredient, not a wiltable green. The burgundy tones look gorgeous against bright acid (lemon/sherry) and salty dairy, and you can even quick-sauté it to keep the color while preserving some chew.

Best Uses

cut-and-toss salads where the leaves hold crunch under light dressing
wedge salads with creamy sauces that cling to the cupped leaves
brief skillet sautés for color—just enough to wilt edges without turning limp
vibrant garnishes (shredded or torn) on grain bowls and tacos

Flavor Profile

snappy, tight-crisp bite sweet, mild green flavor tender ribs with a cool, clean finish burgundy leaf sweetness that stays lively

Kitchen Pairings

lemon vinaigrette sherry vinegar parmesan goat cheese olive oil chicken or chickpea salad

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Lactuca sativa (red romaine) and how can I control it?

A common problem is downy mildew (often showing as pale/yellow patches on leaf tops with fuzzy growth underneath). Remove and discard affected leaves early, improve airflow between plants, and avoid wetting foliage when watering; if it keeps spreading, use a labeled fungicide for leafy greens according to the product directions. Watch for slugs and aphids as well—hand-pick slugs at dusk and rinse aphids off with a strong water spray, then keep plants from staying constantly wet.

How often should I water red romaine during the main growing phase, and what soil moisture target should I aim for?

During the main head-forming period, keep the root zone evenly moist—typically watering about 1–2 times per week depending on heat, with deeper watering so soil stays consistently damp 2–4 inches down. If you see wilting midday or the outer leaves feel limp, water immediately; if the soil stays soggy or water pools, cut back to prevent root stress and mildew.

How can I tell when Lactuca sativa ‘red romaine’ is ready to harvest?

Harvest at about 55 days from sowing when the heads are firm and compact, with tightly cupped outer leaves that don’t pull apart easily. For the best flavor, pick in the cool part of the day before the plants bolt—if you see a central flower stalk forming, harvest right away because leaves will turn more bitter.