Looseleaf
Tango Lettuce is a curled baby leaf variety that delivers crisp, clean texture in every bite, with deeply lobed oak leaf-shaped leaves in a vibrant lime green. This open-pollinated cultivar matures in just 30 to 39 days, forming tight, erect rosettes that reach 6 to 8 inches tall and 12 inches across, making it remarkably compact and perfect for small spaces. Hardy across zones 2 through 10 and thriving in full sun, Tango has earned its place as a beloved staple in salad mixes and home gardens for years, especially valued when harvested young at its most tender and vitamin-rich.
Full Sun
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2-10
10in H x ?in W
Annual
Moderate
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Tango's oak leaf-shaped fronds are deeply lobed and finely frilled, creating a visually striking plant that looks as good as it tastes. The crisp texture holds up beautifully against salad dressings without wilting, and the compact rosette habit means you can fit multiple plants in tight quarters. This variety has proven itself across decades in commercial salad mixes and home gardens alike, earning loyal fans who appreciate both its reliability and its attractive appearance.
Tango shines as a baby leaf lettuce for fresh salads, where its crisp texture and clean flavor stand up to vinaigrettes and creamy dressings alike. The attractive frilly leaves make it visually appealing in salad mixes and composed salads, and its tender young leaves are best enjoyed raw to capture their delicate crunch and mild, fresh character.
Sow seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before your last spring frost, keeping soil temperature below 70°F (21°C) for best germination. Tango averages approximately 16,000 plants per ounce, so seeds are small and should be sown shallowly. Transplants are ready when they develop their first true leaves.
Harden off seedlings gradually over 7 to 10 days before moving them to the garden. Transplant outside as soon as soil can be worked in spring, spacing plants 4 inches apart. In mild climates, succession plant every few weeks for continuous harvest through the season.
Direct sow seeds outdoors as soon as soil is workable in spring and again 8 to 10 weeks before your first fall frost. Sow seeds shallowly and keep soil consistently moist until germination occurs, typically within 7 to 10 days at cool temperatures.
Begin harvesting Tango in 30 to 39 days once the plants have formed tight, well-defined rosettes and the leaves are tender and crisp. You can harvest individual outer leaves as needed, or cut the entire head just above soil level for a clean, complete yield. For the best flavor and texture, harvest in the early morning when leaves are fully hydrated and crisp. Young plants harvested at peak tenderness offer the most tender, vitamin-rich leaves.
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“Tango has established itself as a trusted variety over years of use in professional salad mix production and home gardens, becoming a proven favorite rather than a newly developed cultivar. Its reliable performance and consistent quality have made it a standard choice for growers seeking dependable yields of tender baby leaves.”