Red Sails

Family: Asteraceae Leafy Green

Crisp, ocean-bright leaves unfurl in airy rosettes, with a vivid red sail of color rising over cool green ribs.

Red Sails delivers tender, sweet-leaning crunch and a delicate, ruffled texture that stays pleasantly crisp as temperatures settle. Ideal for fresh salads and vibrant garnishes, it also shines when used to build leafy bowls and quick tosses of flavor-ready greens.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 55 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 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	Surface
Germination Temp (°F)	40
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Red Sails has a tender-crisp bite with enough sweetness to stand up to sharp acids without turning watery, which makes it a star in dressed salads. The ruffled texture grabs vinaigrette and stays snappy long enough to eat—no limp regrets.

Best Uses

shingle-thin salad bases where the leaves won’t collapse under dressing
quick lettuce-and-herb tosses with warm vinaigrette (let it sit 60–90 seconds)
leafy cups for crisp fillings—think herby chickpeas or grilled chicken
garnish that adds red-and-green crunch to bowls, tacos, and soup toppers

Flavor Profile

sweet-leaning, cool brightness snappy, ocean-crisp crunch lightly peppered, delicate leaf bitterness ruffled, tender texture that holds a fork well

Kitchen Pairings

lemon olive oil balsamic vinegar parmesan grilled chicken avocado

Frequently Asked Questions

What disease or pest most commonly affects Lactuca sativa (red leaf lettuce) like “Red Sails,” and how do I control it?

A frequent problem is downy mildew (often starting as pale yellow patches on leaves with gray-violet growth underneath). Improve airflow and avoid wetting leaves when watering, then remove infected outer leaves; if it spreads, use an appropriate labeled fungicide for lettuce mildew and start rotating to a fresh bed to reduce recurrence.

How often should I water Lactuca sativa during the main growing phase, and what soil moisture level should I keep?

Keep soil consistently evenly moist but not waterlogged, especially from about week 2 until harvest around day 55. In warm spells, this usually means watering lightly enough to prevent the root zone from drying out—aim for the top 1 inch to remain slightly damp; if lettuce leaves look limp by afternoon, increase frequency rather than volume.

How can I tell when Lactuca sativa “Red Sails” is ready to harvest?

Harvest when heads/rosettes are fully formed for the variety and leaves feel crisp and firm rather than floppy, typically around 55 days from sowing. For best flavor, pick in the morning and harvest before the plant bolts—early signs include rapid vertical growth and a tougher, more bitter leaf taste.