Spotted Trout Lettuce is an Austrian romaine with a captivating story baked into its name. The German 'Forellenschluss' translates directly to 'Spotted Trout,' referencing both the fish and this lettuce's striking appearance: pale green leaves delicately flecked with red. Ready to harvest in 55 days, it grows to a compact 8-12 inches tall and thrives in cool conditions with consistent moisture. The tender, sweet leaves make this a showstopper on any plate, blending beauty with flavor in a way few lettuces can match.
Full Sun
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12in H x 10in W
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Moderate
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The red flecks scattered across pale green leaves create a naturally artistic appearance that elevates even a simple salad. This Austrian heirloom prefers cool growing conditions and rewards gardeners who provide consistent moisture with tender, sweet leaves ready in just 55 days. Its compact, upright habit fits neatly into garden beds or containers, making efficient use of space while delivering both visual interest and reliable flavor.
Spotted Trout Lettuce is grown primarily for fresh salads, where its tender leaves and mild sweetness shine without heavy dressings. The visual appeal of the red-flecked leaves makes it especially valued in composed salads and when presentation matters. It can be harvested as whole heads at maturity or picked leaf-by-leaf for ongoing harvests throughout the season.
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Start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before transplanting outdoors. Sow at a depth of 1/8 to 1/4 inch in seed trays or small pots, keeping soil moist but not waterlogged. Maintain germination temperatures between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Once seedlings develop their first true leaves, thin or transplant to individual cells to prevent crowding.
Harden off seedlings over 7-10 days by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions. Transplant outdoors when soil is workable and temperatures remain consistently above 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Space transplants 8 inches apart in rows 12 inches wide. Plant shallowly, keeping the soil line at the same level as the seedling's soil block.
Direct sow seeds 1/8 to 1/4 inch deep in prepared garden beds in spring or late summer. Space seed clusters 8 inches apart, then thin seedlings as they emerge to prevent overcrowding. Direct sowing works best in cooler seasons when soil moisture remains consistent.
Harvest when heads reach full size and feel firm, typically at 55 days after sowing. Cut heads at the base with a sharp knife just above the soil line, or pick individual outer leaves for ongoing harvests. Spotted Trout Lettuce reaches its peak sweetness and tenderness in cool conditions; harvest in early morning when leaves are most crisp. Once temperatures warm significantly, harvest immediately to prevent bitter flavor and bolting.
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“This Austrian lettuce carries its identity in its German name, Forellenschluss, which translates to 'Spotted Trout.' The name itself tells the story of how European gardeners saw this variety: as beautiful and distinctive as the colorful fish in Alpine streams. It represents a tradition of careful lettuce selection in the temperate regions of Austria, where cool-season crops have long been cultivated with precision. The variety has traveled from its Central European origins into seed catalogs worldwide, maintained by gardeners and seed savers who value both its striking appearance and reliable performance.”