Romaine Growing Guide
Romaine is a great next step in your growing journey. Follow this guide from planting to harvest and you'll do great.
At a Glance
Difficulty
Moderate
Category
Vegetable
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Frost Tolerance
Frost Hardy
Growing Zones
Zones 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Plant Family
Asteraceae
Growing Season
Cool Season
Plant Lifecycle
Annual
Also grows well as
When To Start
First Chance to Plant
30 Days Before Last Frost
Last Chance to Plant
30 Days Before First Frost
When should you plant Romaine?
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Your Romaine Planting Window
Start planting
May 15, 2026
Last chance
Sep 10, 2026
The Journey Ahead
Romaine's Lifecycle
Seedling
Mature Plant
Seed Production
Step 2
Planting & Sprouting
Expect sprouts in 7–10 days
Growing Tips
- 1Plant Romaine lettuce in a spot that gets full sun for at least 6 hours a day.
- 2Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, watering deeply once or twice a week.
- 3Use well-draining, fertile soil enriched with compost, and space plants about 12 inches apart to allow for good air circulation.
- 4To manage pests, use row covers or introduce beneficial insects like ladybugs to control aphids.
Seedling Phase
Step 3
Growth & Maturity
~70
Days to Maturity
30 cm
Mature Height
20 cm
Mature Width
Pests to Watch For
Diseases to Watch For
Mature Plant
Step 4
Harvesting
Harvest Window
45 days
When to Pick
Cut heads when firm and upright
How to Harvest
- 1Harvest Romaine lettuce when the leaves are crisp and the head is firm, typically 60-70 days after planting.
- 2Use a sharp knife to cut the head off at the base, just above the soil line, to avoid damaging the plant.
- 3For a continuous harvest, you can also pick outer leaves individually, allowing the inner leaves to keep growing.
Step 5
Saving Seeds
How to Save Seeds
Saving seeds from your Romaine plant is easy and rewarding! Simply let a few of your healthiest Romaine plants bolt, meaning they’ll grow tall and produce flowers. Once the flowers dry out and turn fluffy, gently shake or pluck the seed heads to collect the tiny seeds inside. Spread them out to dry for a few days, then store your seeds in a labeled envelope or jar in a cool, dry place—like a kitchen cupboard. You’ve just taken the first step toward growing your own Romaine year after year—anyone can do it, and you’ll love the satisfaction of planting seeds you saved yourself!
Seed Production
Feeling inspired?
Grow Romaine from seed.
The crisp, upright lettuce built for Caesar salads. Buy a pack and get started.
$2.25
CAD
In Stock
