Ice Queen Crisphead Lettuce is a European heirloom that delivers crisp, densely packed heads in a surprisingly short window: 21 to 62 days from seed depending on conditions. Named for its ability to thrive in cool weather, this variety grows 6 to 10 inches tall and fits comfortably in tight garden spaces with just 10 inches between plants. Hardy from zones 3 through 9, it tolerates frost and actually prefers the chill of spring and fall, making it one of the most reliable lettuces for gardeners in colder climates who want restaurant-quality crunch without fuss.
Partial Sun
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3-9
10in H x ?in W
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Moderate
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Ice Queen's real strength lies in its cold tolerance and lightning-fast germination at temperatures that stop other lettuces cold. Seeds sprout reliably at just 40°F, which means you can direct sow as soon as soil is workable in spring, weeks before tender varieties even consider germinating. The heads form tight, compact rosettes that need minimal space, making this one of the smartest choices for small gardens or succession planting where you want to squeeze in multiple harvests across a season.
Ice Queen is grown primarily for fresh salads, where its crisp texture and dense heads deliver satisfying crunch. The compact size makes it excellent for household consumption without excess waste, and the quick harvest window suits succession planting perfectly for gardeners who want fresh lettuce throughout the season rather than a single overwhelming glut.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Start seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before your average last frost date, and again in summer when outdoor soil temperatures exceed 80°F. This is when direct sowing becomes unreliable due to heat, so indoor starting gives you a second window of harvest. Provide cool, bright conditions and transplant seedlings out once they're established.
Transplant seedlings 4 to 6 weeks before your average last frost date, or in summer when soil has cooled enough (ideally below 80°F) to allow germination. Space plants 10 inches apart in rows 10 inches apart. The variety is frost-tolerant, so early spring transplanting is safe even if cold snaps occur after you've planted.
Direct sow 2 to 4 weeks before your average last frost date, once soil temperature reaches at least 40°F, ideally 60 to 70°F. Sow successively every 3 weeks through early summer, then resume again 4 to 6 weeks before your average first fall frost date for continuous harvests. In mild climates, sow in fall and winter for cool-season crops. Thin or transplant seedlings to 10-inch spacing as they develop their first true leaves.
Harvest when heads feel firm and dense to the touch, typically 21 to 62 days after sowing depending on temperature and light. Heads reach their mature 6 to 10-inch size when they've formed a tight rosette with no signs of bolting (elongation or flowering). Cut the entire head at soil level with a sharp knife, or harvest outer leaves individually for a longer production window. For the crispest texture, harvest in the morning after dew has dried but before heat builds, then chill immediately.
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“The name 'Reine des Glaces' (Queen of the Ices) speaks to this lettuce's European roots and its prized ability to flourish when frost threatens other crops. While specific breeding details are sparse in available records, the variety carries the hallmark of classic European market gardening: a lettuce engineered for reliability in cool climates where it was grown commercially and preserved through careful seed saving by gardeners who valued its consistent performance.”