How to Grow Red Burgundy

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Red Burgundy

Lactuca sativa var. crispa

vegetable

Red Burgundy is a loose-leaf lettuce variety with deeply ruffled, wine-red to burgundy-colored leaves that add striking color and texture to salads and garden displays. The leaves are tender and slightly sweet with a mild flavor, making it popular for fresh eating and ornamental gardening. It matures quickly and produces continuously throughout the growing season when harvested properly.

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Example Red Burgundy timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Red Burgundy
Around Apr 17

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

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Red Burgundy
Around Jun 1

≈ 45 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Red Burgundy dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️

Sun: Partial shade to full sun; 4-6 hours of sunlight daily. In hot climates, afternoon shade is beneficial to prevent bolting

💧

Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water deeply 2-3 times per week, or more frequently in hot weather. Avoid wetting leaves to reduce disease risk

📏

Spacing: 8 inches

📅

Days to maturity: 45-60 days from seed; 25-35 days from transplant

🌱

Planting depth: ¼ inch (seeds are very small and should be barely covered)

Soil

Type: Well-draining, fertile loamy soil rich in organic matter

pH: 6.0-7.0

Amendments:

Compost Well-rotted manure Peat moss or coconut coir Balanced fertilizer (10-10-10)

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 2-10; prefers cooler spring and fall temperatures but can be grown year-round with proper management

2a 2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a

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Growth Stages

Germination

5-10 days

Seeds sprout and produce tiny cotyledons (seed leaves). Very delicate and small at this stage.

Keep soil moist but not soggy. Maintain temperatures between 60-70°F. Provide indirect light. Thin seedlings once they develop true leaves.

Seedling

2-3 weeks

First true leaves appear; plants develop 2-4 small leaves. Seedlings are still fragile and small (1-2 inches tall).

Thin to proper spacing to reduce competition. Begin providing 4-6 hours of light daily. Keep soil consistently moist. Avoid fertilizer at this stage.

Vegetative Growth

3-6 weeks

Plant develops characteristic deeply ruffled, burgundy-colored leaves. Foliage becomes fuller and more vibrant in color. No central head forms.

Maintain consistent moisture and cooler temperatures (60-70°F). Provide partial shade in summer to slow bolting. Side-dress with compost or balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks. Begin light harvesting of outer leaves.

Peak Harvest

2-4 weeks (or longer with regular harvesting)

Plant reaches full size with dense, colorful foliage. Leaves are tender and flavorful. Plant continues to produce new leaves when harvested regularly.

Harvest outer leaves regularly to encourage continued growth and delay bolting. Keep soil evenly moist. Monitor for bolting signs (flower stalk formation) and harvest before it occurs. Provide afternoon shade in hot weather.

Bolting

1-2 weeks until plant is unusable

Plant sends up a central flower stalk and leaves become bitter and tougher. Red coloration may fade as plant diverts energy to seed production.

Once bolting begins, harvest quality declines. Remove plant and compost it, or allow to flower if seed saving is desired. Plant replacement crop for continued harvest.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Radishes Carrots Beets Chives Dill Parsley Strawberries Onions Marigolds

Avoid planting near:

Cabbage Broccoli Cauliflower Fennel Parsnips

Common Pests

Spray with water to dislodge; use insecticidal soap or neem oil; introduce ladybugs
and
Hand-pick; use copper tape barriers; beer traps; encourage ground beetles; apply diatomaceous earth
Rotate crops; use resistant varieties; apply beneficial nematodes to soil; avoid excessive nitrogen
Yellow sticky traps; insecticidal soap; neem oil; reflective mulch
Hand-pick; use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt); row covers; encourage parasitic wasps

Uses

🍳

Fresh Salads & Garnish

Culinary

Red Burgundy's attractive deep red, ruffled leaves make it excellent for fresh salads, adding visual appeal and mild flavor. The tender foliage is perfect for mixed green salads, wraps, and plating garnishes. [source]

🍳

Nutritious Greens

Culinary

Rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as folate and antioxidants including anthocyanins (from the red pigmentation). Low in calories but high in nutrients, making it ideal for health-conscious eating. [source]

🎨

Ornamental Gardening

Craft

The striking burgundy-red, deeply frilled foliage makes Red Burgundy an attractive edible ornamental plant for decorative kitchen gardens, containers, and landscape borders. Often grown for visual interest as much as for food. [source]

🏠

Cut Leaf Arrangements

Household

Individual leaves or entire young plants can be harvested and used in floral arrangements and table decorations to add color and texture to fresh bouquets. [source]

🦋

Pollinator Support

Wildlife

When allowed to bolt and flower, Red Burgundy produces attractive small flowers that attract bees and other pollinators, supporting beneficial insect populations in the garden. [source]

Harvest Tips

Begin harvesting outer leaves once plant has 4-6 leaves, typically 30-40 days after planting. Cut leaves at soil level with scissors or knife, or pull entire plant when mature. Harvest in early morning for crispest leaves. Harvest regularly to encourage continuous growth and delay bolting. In hot weather, harvest before temperatures peak. Red Burgundy is best used fresh within 1-2 days of harvest.

Fun Facts

🌱 Red Burgundy's deep burgundy color comes from anthocyanins, the same powerful antioxidants found in blueberries and red wine, making the darker leaves more nutritious than lighter lettuce varieties.
🌱 Loose-leaf lettuces like Red Burgundy can be harvested continuously for months using the 'cut and come again' method, where only outer leaves are removed, allowing the plant to keep producing new leaves from the center.
🌱 Red Burgundy was developed in Europe and named for the Burgundy region of France, known for both fine wines and culinary excellence, reflecting the variety's premium quality and European heritage.

Gardening Terms

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

Bolt Compost Full Sun Partial Shade True Leaves

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