How to Grow Jericho Lettuce

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Jericho Lettuce

Lactuca sativa var. crispa

vegetable

Jericho lettuce is a crisp-head variety known for its tight, densely packed heads with crinkled, deep green outer leaves and pale green inner leaves. It offers excellent crunch and mild flavor, making it ideal for salads and fresh eating. This variety is particularly valued for its heat tolerance and ability to maintain quality in warmer climates.

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Example Jericho Lettuce timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Jericho Lettuce
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Jericho Lettuce
Around Jun 16

≈ 60 days after planting

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Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun to partial shade; 6+ hours of sunlight daily, with afternoon shade beneficial in hot climates

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Water: Consistent moisture; water deeply 1-2 inches per week. Keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Provide extra water during dry spells and heat waves to prevent bolting and bitterness.

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Spacing: 10-12 inches between plants; rows 18-24 inches apart inches

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Days to maturity: 60-75 days from transplant; 70-85 days from seed

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Planting depth: ¼ inch for seeds; transplants at same depth as original soil line

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil rich in organic matter

pH: 6.0-7.0

Amendments:

Compost aged manure peat moss perlite for drainage

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Zones 4-9; performs well spring through fall, with best results in cooler seasons

3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b

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Growth Stages

Seedling

2-3 weeks

Tiny cotyledons emerge and develop 2-4 true leaves; plants are fragile and light green

Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide bright light if starting indoors. Thin seedlings to proper spacing once they have 2-3 true leaves.

Vegetative Growth

3-4 weeks

Plant develops multiple leaves and begins forming loose rosette; leaf count increases rapidly

Maintain consistent moisture and temperature (60-70°F ideal). Feed with balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks. Ensure adequate spacing for airflow. Remove any diseased leaves promptly.

Head Formation

2-3 weeks

Leaves begin curling and overlapping, forming a compact head with characteristic crinkled texture

Continue consistent watering and feeding. Provide afternoon shade if temperatures exceed 75°F. Monitor for pests and disease. Head should feel firm when gently squeezed.

Maturity

1-2 weeks

Head becomes fully dense and compact with tight leaf overlap; outer leaves deep green, inner leaves pale

Reduce nitrogen fertilizer to encourage firmness. Water regularly but allow soil to dry slightly between waterings. Monitor closely for signs of bolting (flower stalk emergence).

Harvest

Harvest window is 1-2 weeks before bolting begins

Head is firm, compact, and fully developed; ready for cutting

Harvest in morning when plants are fully hydrated for crispest texture. Cut at soil line with sharp knife or pull entire plant. Use immediately or store in refrigerator for 1-2 weeks.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Beets carrots radishes strawberries chives dill parsley marigolds nasturtiums

Avoid planting near:

Cabbage fennel parsnips potatoes

Common Pests

Spray with strong water stream, insecticidal soap, or neem oil. Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs.
and
Remove debris and hiding spots. Use beer traps, copper tape barriers, or hand-pick in early morning. Apply diatomaceous earth around plants.
Use yellow sticky traps. Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil on undersides of leaves.
Create paper or cardboard collars around seedling stems. Remove plant debris. Apply nematodes to soil.
Avoid planting in same location year after year. Use resistant varieties. Apply beneficial nematodes to soil.

Uses

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Fresh salads and crisp greens

Culinary

Jericho lettuce is prized for its excellent crunch and mild, slightly sweet flavor, making it ideal for fresh salads, sandwiches, wraps, and as a bed for other toppings. Its tight head structure holds up well to dressing without becoming soggy. [source]

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Heat-tolerant summer salads

Culinary

Unlike many lettuce varieties, Jericho demonstrates superior heat tolerance compared to other crisp varieties, allowing gardeners to extend the harvest season into warmer months while maintaining quality and reducing bitterness. [source]

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Long storage and transportation

Household

The dense, firm head of Jericho lettuce makes it excellent for storage, keeping fresh in the refrigerator for 2-3 weeks when properly wrapped. Its structural integrity also makes it ideal for farmers markets and commercial distribution. [source]

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Low-calorie nutritious green

Medicinal

Like all lettuce varieties, Jericho is rich in vitamins A, K, and folate, plus minerals like iron and calcium. It provides dietary fiber and is extremely low in calories, making it valuable for balanced nutrition and weight management. [source]

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Support for pollinators and beneficial insects

Wildlife

If allowed to bolt, Jericho lettuce produces small yellow flowers that attract pollinators and beneficial insects. The seeds also support birds and other wildlife later in the season. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Harvest when heads are firm and fully formed, typically 60-75 days after transplanting. Cut in early morning when leaves are crisp and full of moisture. Use a sharp knife to cut at soil level, or pull entire plant. Harvest before temperatures consistently exceed 75°F to avoid bolting and bitterness. For extended harvest, pick outer leaves while allowing center to continue growing (cut-and-come-again method works less well with head lettuce than with leaf varieties, but is possible).

Fun Facts

🌱 Jericho lettuce is named after the ancient city of Jericho and has been grown in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean regions for centuries, with varieties likely descended from cultivated wild lettuce (Lactuca serriola).
🌱 Lettuce is believed to have been cultivated as early as 2680 BCE in ancient Egypt, and was particularly favored by Romans who valued it for its cooling properties—it was considered an aphrodisiac in medieval times.
🌱 The term 'crisp-head' or 'iceberg' lettuce became popular in the early 1900s because heads were packed in ice for railroad shipment across America, revolutionizing fresh produce distribution.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Bolt Full Sun Partial Shade Transplant True Leaves

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