Saharan

Family: Asteraceae Leafy Green

Crisp as fresh-cut snow, Saharan delivers a dense crisphead with a cool, clean crunch and a gently sweet, green flavor.

Its tightly layered leaves form a satisfying, spoonable texture—sturdy enough to hold its bite while staying tender at the core. Grow Saharan for standout salads and elegant platters, or for refreshing wraps and bright, leafy garnishes that stay crisp through serving.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Rosette

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

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Apr 4th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jul 9th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	75
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)	35
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Saharan’s tightly layered crisphead holds its structure and bite, so it behaves beautifully in cold service—no watery surrender. The mildly sweet, clean green flavor loves sharp acid and fatty richness, making it ideal for wraps, wedges, and composed salads.

Best Uses

cold chopped salads where you want snap that doesn’t collapse
crisphead wedges with a simple vinaigrette for maximum bite
wrap and lettuce-cup service that stays structured through filling
elegant platter leaves for topping grilled proteins and sauces

Flavor Profile

cool, clean crunch gently sweet green flavor dense, spoonable leaf texture tender-at-the-core bite

Kitchen Pairings

lemon vinaigrette extra-virgin olive oil grilled chicken feta cheese avocado croutons

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most often affects Lactuca sativa (iceberg-type lettuce) and how do I manage it?

Look for aphids and slugs/snails on iceberg lettuce, especially in warm, humid stretches. Spray aphids off with a strong stream of water and use insecticidal soap if they persist, and hand-pick slugs at dusk or set beer traps/diatomaceous barrier around plants. Also watch for downy mildew and botrytis (gray mold) in cool, damp weather—improve airflow by spacing heads properly and water at the soil line, not the leaves.

How often should I water Lactuca sativa during the main growing phase (from transplanting until head set)?

Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged while the plants are forming leaves and tightening into heads—typically about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week, adjusted for heat and wind. Water deeply 1–2 times per week rather than daily misting, and aim for consistently damp soil 1–2 inches down. If the soil swings from dry to wet, iceberg lettuce is more likely to become bitter and develop loose or poorly formed heads.

How can I tell when Lactuca sativa (iceberg-type) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when the head is firm and the leaves are tightly packed, usually around 70–80 days after sowing (about 75 days to maturity for your crop). Check by gently pressing the outside of the head—if it feels springy or loose, wait a few more days. Harvest in the morning when heads are coolest to reduce leaf wilting and maximize crispness.