Red Tango Leaf Lettuce is a stunning heirloom variety that brings bold color and personality to spring and fall gardens. Its deeply frilled, serrated leaves are a rich burgundy-red, arranged in tight, upright heads that stand 5-10 inches tall. This open-pollinated lettuce matures in 40-49 days and thrives in hardiness zones 2-10, making it accessible to gardeners across the continent. Unlike its milder green cousin, Red Tango carries a noticeably stronger, more complex flavor that rewards the patient grower.
14
Full Sun
—
2-10
10in H x ?in W
—
Moderate
Hover over chart points for details
Red Tango's crimped, deeply serrated foliage is unmistakable in the garden, those burgundy-red leaves with their intricate texture practically demand attention. The heads form tight and erect, a sign of vigor and good genetics, and the variety's pronounced flavor sets it apart from gentler lettuces. Growing to full maturity in 45-55 days with reliable performance across most of North America, it combines ornamental appeal with genuine culinary character.
Red Tango is grown primarily for fresh salads, where its bold color makes it a striking visual component on the plate. Its stronger flavor compared to mild lettuces means it pairs well in mixed greens where it can stand up to robust vinaigrettes and bold companions. The crisp, frilly texture works beautifully in composed salads where the leaves are left whole to showcase their distinctive serrated edges, and home cooks appreciate it for adding visual drama to otherwise simple green dishes.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Red Tango can be transplanted outdoors once seedlings develop true leaves and the risk of hard frost has passed. Harden off seedlings gradually over 7-10 days before moving them to the garden. Space transplants 14 inches apart in full sun.
Sow seeds directly in spring or early fall in cooler areas where this variety thrives. Plant in well-prepared soil with good drainage and scatter seeds where you want them to grow, then thin seedlings to 14-inch spacing once they develop true leaves.
Red Tango is ready to harvest in 40-49 days from sowing, though some sources indicate 45-55 days to full maturity. You can begin harvesting outer leaves once the plant is established, or wait for the entire head to form tight and erect, then cut the whole head at the base just above the soil line. The distinctive red, frilly leaves are your visual cue of maturity; they should feel crisp and firm to the touch.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.
“Red Tango is an open-pollinated, non-GMO heirloom variety that represents the careful curation of classic lettuce genetics. While the catalog data does not detail its original development, its status as an heirloom signals that this variety has been maintained and replanted by gardeners and seed savers over decades, preserving the specific genetic traits that define its appearance and flavor. Its kinship to Green Tango suggests a deliberate breeding line developed to offer gardeners both a colorful alternative and a more assertive taste profile.”