Rouge d'Hiver

Family: Asteraceae Leafy Green

Planting Schedule

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Velvety leaves unfurl in a cool-weather crescendo—Rouge d’Hiver brings a rich, wine-rose blush over crisp, tender green, with a softly sweet bite that feels fresh and clean.

The loose-leaf habit forms an airy rosette of finely textured foliage, offering a satisfying crunch that stays pleasantly crisp as it matures in about 55 days. Ideal for fresh salads and bright garnishes, Rouge d’Hiver also shines when wilted into quick, flavorful greens and stirred into hearty seasonal bowls.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 55 DaysHabit: Rosette

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Rouge d'Hiver Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	May 4th	Jun 1st	Jul 26th – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Apr 27th	May 25th	Jul 19th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Apr 17th	May 15th	Jul 9th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Apr 17th	May 15th	Jul 9th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Apr 21st	May 19th	Jul 13th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Apr 17th	May 15th	Jul 9th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 15th	May 13th	Jul 7th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Apr 10th	May 8th	Jul 2nd – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Apr 6th	May 4th	Jun 28th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Apr 3rd	May 1st	Jun 25th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 28th	Apr 25th	Jun 19th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 23rd	Apr 20th	Jun 14th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Mar 13th	Apr 10th	Jun 4th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Mar 4th	Apr 1st	May 26th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 23rd	Mar 23rd	May 17th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Feb 6th	Mar 6th	Apr 30th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Jan 12th	Feb 9th	Apr 5th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	55
Sun Requirements	Part Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Surface
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	30
Harden Off (days)	5

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Rouge d’Hiver is a loose-leaf lettuce with a sweet, clean crunch that holds up better than delicate butterheads when you toss and eat fast. Use it for cold-to-warm contrast—wilt it for seconds in a hot pan or pile it on top—so the velvety texture stays crisp instead of getting soggy.

Best Uses

standalone salad greens that keep their snap under a light vinaigrette
quick sauté or wilt—brief heat to tame the bite without turning wet
layering as a garnish on warm grain bowls and beans for cold-to-hot contrast
chopped, dressed leaves in sandwiches so they don’t ghost into mush

Flavor Profile

softly sweet, fresh leafiness tender-crisp crunch with a velvety bite cool-weather wine-rose blush that reads subtly peppery at the edges

Kitchen Pairings

lemon vinaigrette aged gouda feta walnuts grilled chicken white beans

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects Lactuca sativa (Rouge d’Hiver), and how do I treat it?

Watch for powdery mildew and aphids on lettuce, especially in humid weather or where leaves stay wet. Remove badly infected leaves early, improve airflow, and water at soil level; for aphids, blast plants with a strong jet of water and apply insecticidal soap if needed. If mildew keeps spreading, stop overhead watering and thin crowded plants so foliage dries faster.

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

During the 4–6 weeks of active leaf growth, keep the soil evenly moist but never waterlogged—about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week total, split into 1–2 waterings as needed. Aim for consistently damp soil under the surface (not soggy) so leaves grow tender rather than bitter or stressed. Mulch can help stabilize moisture, but still check that the top few centimeters dry only slightly between waterings.

How can I tell when Rouge d’Hiver lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when heads are full and firm for leaf/romaine-type lettuce or when outer leaves are large enough to pick—typically around 55 days after sowing. Use the “outer-leaf” method for continuing harvest: pick the largest outer leaves when they reach a good size and color, leaving the center to keep producing. For best flavor, harvest in the morning before midday heat makes lettuce turn more bitter.