Little Gem Lettuce

Type: Heirloom
Packet size: minimum 100+ seeds

Lactuca sativa. Little Gem Romaine Lettuce is a beloved heirloom variety that combines the crisp texture of romaine with the compact size of butterhead lettuce. The small, tightly formed heads grow to about 6–8 inches tall and feature sweet, tender leaves with a crisp center and excellent flavor. Little Gem is prized for its heat tolerance, slow bolting habit, and versatility in the kitchen. Perfect for fresh salads, sandwiches, wraps, and grilled lettuce recipes, this compact variety grows well in traditional gardens, raised beds, and containers. Its small size makes it ideal for succession planting and small-space gardening.

🌱 Growing Information
How to Grow Little Gem Romaine Lettuce from Seed

Planting Depth: 1/8 inch
Seed Spacing: 6–8 inches
Row Spacing: 12–18 inches
Germination Time: 7–14 days
Days to Harvest: 55–65 days
Sun Requirements: Full Sun to Partial Shade

Planting Tips:
Direct sow seeds outdoors as soon as the soil can be worked in spring, or start indoors 3–4 weeks before transplanting. Sow shallowly and keep soil consistently moist during germination. Thin seedlings to allow proper head development. Little Gem performs best in cool weather and can tolerate light frosts. For a continuous harvest, sow new crops every 2–3 weeks throughout the growing season. Harvest entire heads when compact and fully formed, or pick outer leaves as needed for a cut-and-come-again harvest.

Perfect for containers, patio gardens, raised beds, and small-space gardening. Little Gem forms compact 6–8 inch heads that grow well in pots as small as 8–10 inches wide.