Lollo Rossa Darkness

Lettuce

45d to harvest

Sink your senses into Lollo Rossa Darkness—an intensely alluring rosette of frilled leaves that reads like burgundy velvet under garden light. Expect a crisp, tender bite with a lively, gently sweet edge, plus a deeper, darker coloration than classic Lollo types for striking salads and garnishes. Grow it for fresh, spoonable leaf salads and for vivid, color-forward bowls where its ruffled texture truly shines.

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 13th
Last Frost	Apr 10th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 10th
Harvest Begins	May 25th
Harvest Ends	Oct 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)	32
Harden Off (days)	6

Recommended Companions

Adelaide Carrot

New York Early Onion

Icicle Radish

Chantenay Red Core Carrot

Yadkin Valley Red Onion

Long White Radish

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most common disease problem for Lactuca sativa (leaf lettuce) like Lollo Rossa Darkness, and how do I treat it?

Leaf lettuce is especially prone to downy mildew and botrytis (gray mold) when leaves stay wet and air movement is poor. Water early so foliage dries quickly, space plants so air can circulate, and remove any yellowing or gray-spotted leaves immediately. If disease is spreading, apply an approved fungicide labeled for lettuce downy mildew and rotate to a different mode of action the next round to prevent resistance.

How can I tell when Lollo Rossa Darkness is ready to harvest?

Harvest about 45 days from sowing when the rosettes are firm and the outer leaves are full size for your spacing. Snip outer leaves first for a longer harvest, or harvest the whole head/rosette when it holds shape and the leaves are crisp rather than limp. If the center starts elongating or getting bitter, harvest promptly to avoid bolting flavor changes.