Vulcan

Family: Asteraceae Leafy Green

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Vulcan to a garden.

Crisp as cool morning air, Vulcan loose-leaf lettuce forms a dense, upright rosette of tender leaves with a bright, clean green glow and a pleasantly sweet, mild bite.

The texture is satisfyingly crunchy yet delicate—ideal for pulling fresh leaves into salads, building vibrant greens for sandwiches, and stirring into quick sauces where its flavor stays fresh and lively. Ready in about 45 days, Vulcan is a dependable choice for gardeners who want a fast, beautiful harvest with a refined, garden-fresh taste.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 45 DaysHabit: Rosette

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Vulcan 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 11th	Jun 1st	Jul 16th – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	May 4th	May 25th	Jul 9th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Apr 24th	May 15th	Jun 29th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Apr 24th	May 15th	Jun 29th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Apr 28th	May 19th	Jul 3rd – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Apr 24th	May 15th	Jun 29th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 22nd	May 13th	Jun 27th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Apr 17th	May 8th	Jun 22nd – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Apr 13th	May 4th	Jun 18th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Apr 10th	May 1st	Jun 15th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Apr 4th	Apr 25th	Jun 9th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 30th	Apr 20th	Jun 4th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Mar 20th	Apr 10th	May 25th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Mar 11th	Apr 1st	May 16th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Mar 2nd	Mar 23rd	May 7th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Feb 13th	Mar 6th	Apr 20th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Jan 19th	Feb 9th	Mar 26th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	45
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)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Vulcan’s loose-leaf structure gives you dense crunch in a tender leaf—great when you want sweetness and snap, not bitterness. It tolerates quick tosses and acidic dressings without turning limp, making it a smart choice for fast, garden-forward plates.

Best Uses

torn-leaf salads with light vinaigrettes that cling without sogginess
ice-cold sandwiches where the leaves stay snappy, not wet
quick stir-throughs in pan sauces or warm dressings to keep the flavor bright
use as a fresh bed for grilled proteins so it holds contrast

Flavor Profile

sweet, mild lettuce bite cool, crisp crunch clean green flavor with a delicate snap

Kitchen Pairings

lemon olive oil aged cheddar feta chickpeas grilled chicken

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Lactuca sativa (Lolla Bionda-type) and how can I control it?

A frequent problem is downy mildew (often shown as pale yellow patches on leaves with gray-purple growth on the underside). Use labeled fungicides if needed early, but first remove and discard infected leaves and improve airflow between plants in part sun. Avoid overhead watering and keep the leaf surface dry, since lettuce downy mildew spreads quickly in cool, damp conditions.

How often should I water Lactuca sativa during the main growing phase?

During the 6–10 week growing period to harvest, keep the top 1–2 inches of soil evenly moist—lettuce needs consistent moisture to prevent bitterness and early bolting. Water deeply enough to reach that depth, typically every 1–3 days depending on heat and container vs. ground conditions. If leaves start to look limp then crisp up suddenly, you’re letting moisture swing too much; aim for steady moisture rather than light daily misting.

How do I know when my Lactuca sativa is ready to harvest at about 45 days?

Harvest when heads are firm for the type you’re growing and outer leaves are fully expanded, usually around 45 days from germination. For cut-and-come-again, pick outer mature leaves once they’re large enough to eat, leaving the center to keep producing. If the plant starts sending up a flowering stalk or the center becomes noticeably elongated, quality declines—harvest immediately.