VegetableLettuce
Merlot Lettuce
Looseleaf
Merlot Lettuce is a loose-leaf heirloom variety that turns heads in any garden with its deep burgundy foliage and striking wavy edges. Harvested in just 55 days, this cool-season annual reaches a modest 10 inches tall and wide, making it perfectly suited to containers, raised beds, or in-ground plantings spaced 8 inches apart. What truly sets Merlot apart is its reputation as among the darkest red lettuces in existence, which should maximize its anthocyanin content, plus its excellent resistance to bolting and cold tolerance that extends the growing season into late fall and winter. The leaves are crispy and waxy with a glossy texture that catches the light, paired with a robust flavor that brings nutty and mildly sweet notes to the table.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
2-11
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam With Consistent Moisture
Preferred Temp60-75°F
Growth Stats
10 in
Height
10 in
Width
8 in
Spacing
55–55
Days to Harvest
PeriodAnnual
TypeLeafy
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
2-11
Size
10in H x 10in W
Growth
Annual
Care
Moderate
Hover over chart points for details
Highlights
Merlot's deep burgundy leaves are reportedly the darkest red of any lettuce variety, making it visually stunning in salads and on the plate. The frilly, crisp foliage resists bolting remarkably well and handles cold better than most lettuces, so it thrives as a late-season crop when other greens fade. It's perfectly sized for small spaces at just 10 inches mature height, yet prolific enough for cut-and-come-again harvesting throughout the season.
Common Uses
Merlot is grown primarily for fresh salads, where its deep color and crispy texture make it visually and texturally compelling. The loose-leaf form is excellent for cut-and-come-again harvesting, allowing gardeners to pick individual outer leaves while the plant continues growing and producing. It's particularly recommended for baby greens production, where the young leaves deliver full flavor and nutrition in tender form.
Growing Timeline
First Bloom
Non-blooming
First Harvest
Early Summer
Last Harvest
Late Summer
Care Instructions
Start Indoors
Start seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before your anticipated transplant date. Germinate at 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit for best results.
Transplant Outdoors
Transplant seedlings outdoors once they have developed 2 to 3 true leaves. Space loose-leaf types 10 to 14 inches apart, though 8 inches is standard for Merlot. Harden off seedlings before moving them to the garden.
Direct Sow
Direct seed in garden soil, using row cover to improve germination and prevent soil crusting. Thin seedlings once 2 to 3 true leaves have formed, spacing plants 8 inches apart in rows 12 inches apart.
Harvesting
Begin harvesting individual outer leaves once the plant has developed sufficient foliage, typically around 55 days from seeding. For continuous production, pick the outer leaves regularly while allowing the inner leaves to continue growing, extending your harvest window significantly. You can also cut the entire plant about 1 inch above the soil for a full harvest, which may produce additional growth for a secondary picking. Check plants daily during peak season, as leaves ready for harvest will have the characteristic waxy crisp texture and deep burgundy color. All leaves will eventually become bitter as the plant bolts, so timely harvesting is key to flavor.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Scientific Classification
Lactuca L.
Family
Asteraceae
Genus
Lactuca
Duration
Annual
Growth Habit
Upright
Native Status
L48 (I)PR (I)VI (I)CAN (W)