VegetableLettuce
Lollo Rosso Lettuce
Lollo Rosso is an Italian looseleaf lettuce that brings both beauty and ease to the garden. Its green leaves rimmed with deep crimson red create a striking presence in salads and on the plate, while its crisp, mildly sweet flavor makes it as delicious as it is ornamental. Ready to harvest in 50 to 55 days, this fast-maturing annual thrives in zones 2 through 10 and tolerates both cool springs and warm summers better than most lettuce varieties. It's a cut-and-come-again plant, meaning you can harvest outer leaves repeatedly as the plant continues to produce, extending your harvest window across the season.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
2-10
Sunlight
Full Sun
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam With Consistent Moisture
Growth Stats
10 in
Height
TypeUpright
Spacing
4
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
—
Zones
2-10
Size
10in H x ?in W
Growth
—
Care
High
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Highlights
The real appeal of Lollo Rosso lies in its ability to handle temperature swings that would bolt other lettuce varieties. Its looseleaf structure and cold tolerance make it one of the first lettuces gardeners can plant in early spring or fall, arriving on the table when other greens have either bolted or disappeared. The combination of crisp texture, tender flavor, and garden-worthy appearance means you're not choosing between beauty and taste.
Common Uses
Lollo Rosso shines in fresh salads where its crisp leaves and striking appearance elevate simple greens into something visually memorable. Its tender texture works beautifully in composed salads, as a bed for other ingredients, or torn into mixed green preparations. The mildly sweet flavor pairs well with vinaigrettes and doesn't overpower delicate dressings. Its ornamental quality also makes it a natural choice for garnishing plates, particularly in dishes where both color and texture matter.
Growing Timeline
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Care Instructions
Direct Sow
Direct sow seeds in early spring as soon as soil can be worked, or in late summer for a fall crop. Plant seeds shallowly and keep soil consistently moist until germination and establishment.
Harvesting
Lollo Rosso is ready to harvest 50 to 55 days after planting. You can harvest the entire plant once it reaches full size, or practice the 'cut and come again' method by harvesting outer leaves as needed while allowing the center to continue growing. Harvest in the morning when leaves are crisp and full of moisture. For best flavor and texture, harvest before any sign of bolting appears, especially as temperatures warm.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Scientific Classification
Lactuca sativa
Family
Asteraceae
Genus
Lactuca
Growth Habit
Upright
Native Status
L48 (I)PR (I)VI (I)CAN (W)
History & Origin
“Lollo Rosso originated in Italy, where it was developed as a looseleaf cultivar of common lettuce. Its heritage as an Italian heirloom reflects decades of cultivation by European gardeners who valued both its ornamental qualities and its reliable performance in cool seasons. Today it remains a staple of European seed catalogs and is increasingly embraced by North American gardeners seeking varieties with proven history and superior cold hardiness.”