Green Ice is a loose-leaf lettuce that brings crispy, wrinkled elegance to gardens across zones 2-10. Its dark green, deeply fingered leaves stay tender and deliciously crisp even when summer heat arrives, refusing to bolt when other lettuces wilt under pressure. Reaching 10-12 inches tall with a glossy, frilled appearance, this cultivar delivers harvestable leaves in just 50 days, making it one of the fastest paths from seed to salad bowl.
1
Full Sun
Moderate
2-10
12in H x ?in W
—
High
Hover over chart points for details
The real draw here is the heat tolerance paired with genuine crispness. Most lettuces turn bitter and bolt the moment temperatures climb, but Green Ice holds its composure and maintains that satisfying crunch even in summer's worst conditions. The loose, wrinkled leaf structure isn't just visually interesting; it creates natural texture that catches dressing beautifully. You're harvesting individual outer leaves within seven weeks, which means continuous picking from a single planting rather than a one-time cut.
Green Ice shines in fresh salads where its crispy texture becomes the main attraction. The loose-leaf structure is ideal for harvesting individual leaves throughout the growing season, allowing you to pick what you need while leaving the plant to continue producing. The frilled, delicate leaves work especially well in composed salads or as a bed for other ingredients, where their visual appeal and satisfying crunch elevate the dish.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before your anticipated transplant date. Sow seeds at a depth of 1/2 inch in trays or cells, maintaining soil temperatures between 60-70°F for consistent germination.
Once seedlings have developed 2-3 true leaves, thin or transplant them to 4-8 inches apart with rows spaced 18 inches apart. Transplant outdoors after hardening off, spacing plants to accommodate their mature width.
Direct sow seeds 1/2 inch deep directly into garden beds. Use row cover to improve germination and prevent soil crusting. Thin seedlings once 2-3 true leaves have formed, spacing them 4-8 inches apart with 18-inch row spacing.
Begin harvesting individual leaves once the plant has established itself around 45-50 days after sowing. Pick outer leaves from the base of the plant, allowing inner leaves to continue growing and producing. Harvest in the morning when leaves are crisp and full of moisture. Check plants daily for leaves ready to pick, as harvesting outer leaves helps extend the season before the plant begins to bolt. Once the plant eventually bolts and leaves begin to turn bitter, remove the entire plant.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.