Crisp Mint Lettuce is a Romaine-type heirloom that delivers exactly what its name promises: succulent, mint-green outer leaves wrapped around snow-white hearts with a mild, sweet, and genuinely crunchy bite. The heads grow to a impressive 10 inches tall and mature in 60 to 65 days, making it reliable enough for gardeners new to lettuce but interesting enough for experienced growers seeking something beyond generic green leaf varieties. Its frost tolerance means you can stretch your harvest season into cooler months, and it thrives in containers just as easily as in garden beds.
Full Sun
—
?-?
?in H x ?in W
—
Moderate
Hover over chart points for details
Those outer leaves are the real draw here, their characteristic mint-green hue combined with the snappy texture that comes from the spikey leaf structure makes every salad visually and texturally memorable. The contrast between the delicate outer leaves and the crisp, pale hearts gives you both visual interest and textural complexity in a single head. Cool-weather harvests intensify the sweetness, rewarding patient gardeners who time their planting for spring and fall rather than summer heat.
Crisp Mint Lettuce shines as a raw salad green where its mild flavor and exceptional crunch don't compete with delicate vinaigrettes or light dressings. The pale hearts work beautifully in composed salads where you want visual contrast, while the outer mint-green leaves make a striking presentation in any bowl. Its tender texture means it needs minimal prep; a simple wash and tear is often all that's required.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Start seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before your last spring frost. Sow seeds at a depth of 1/4 inch in seed-starting mix kept at 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Seeds typically sprout in 7 to 10 days. Provide bright light (grow lights or a sunny window) once sprouted to prevent leggy seedlings.
Harden off seedlings over 7 to 10 days by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions. Transplant once they have developed 2 to 3 true leaves and soil temperatures are consistently above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Space plants 8 inches apart in full sun with well-drained soil.
Direct sow seeds outdoors in cool weather (spring or late summer) by sprinkling them on moist soil at a depth of 1/4 inch. Keep soil consistently moist until seedlings establish. Thin seedlings to 8-inch spacing once they develop their first true leaves.
Harvest individual outer leaves once they reach full size by snapping or cutting them cleanly at the base, allowing the inner leaves to continue growing. Alternatively, cut the entire head just above soil level once it reaches 8 to 10 inches tall and the hearts feel firm and crisp when gently squeezed. Morning harvests capture the plants at peak hydration and crispness. Most heads are ready 60 to 65 days from sowing.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.