How to Grow Red Splash Lettuce
Wikimedia Commons
Red Splash Lettuce
Lactuca sativa var. crispa
vegetableRed Splash is a colorful loose-leaf lettuce variety featuring deep red and burgundy splashes on bright green leaves. Its crisp, tender texture and mild, slightly sweet flavor make it excellent for fresh salads and garnishes. The plant is cold-hardy and bolts slowly, extending the harvest season.
When should you plant Red Splash Lettuce in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Red Splash Lettuce timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Red Splash Lettuce
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
Harvest Red Splash Lettuce
Around Jun 1≈ 45 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Red Splash Lettuce dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-9; grows year-round in mild climates
Sign up free to see if Red Splash Lettuce grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Red Splash Lettuce timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny cotyledons emerge within 7-10 days; first true leaves appear shortly after, displaying faint red coloring
Keep soil moist, provide bright light to prevent leggy growth, thin seedlings to proper spacing once true leaves develop
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksRosette of outer green leaves with increasing red splashes develops; plant grows wider rather than taller
Water consistently, mulch to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature, remove any yellowed outer leaves
Leaf Development
2-3 weeksInner leaves form and gain characteristic red coloring; plant reaches harvest size with dense, crinkled foliage
Continue consistent watering, side-harvest outer leaves as needed, watch for bolting signals in warm weather
Harvest-Ready
2-4 weeks (can continue harvesting)Full rosette of 8-12 inches diameter with vibrant red and green coloration, crisp and tender leaves ready for harvest
Begin harvesting outer leaves regularly to encourage continued production; use sharp scissors or knife for clean cuts
Bolting
Varies; faster in heat stressCenter leaves become upright, plant elongates, bitter compounds increase, flowering stalk begins to emerge
Harvest immediately or remove plant; bolting indicates end of quality harvest window
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Spray with strong water stream, use insecticidal soap, introduce ladybugs, apply neem oil in early morning
-
and
Hand-pick at dusk, create barriers with diatomaceous earth or copper tape, set beer traps, remove hiding debris
-
Remove affected leaves, use row covers during susceptible periods, spray with spinosad if needed
-
Use yellow sticky traps, spray with water or insecticidal soap, introduce parasitic wasps
-
Plant resistant varieties, control aphid vectors, remove infected plants, practice crop rotation
Uses
Fresh Salads & Eating
CulinaryRed Splash lettuce is perfect for colorful salads, providing both visual appeal and crisp texture. Its tender leaves are ideal for fresh eating raw. [source]
Garnish & Presentation
CulinaryThe striking red and green coloration makes this lettuce an excellent garnish for plates, sandwiches, and other dishes. [source]
Kitchen Garden Production
HouseholdAs a quick-growing leaf crop, Red Splash is ideal for succession planting throughout the growing season to provide continuous fresh greens. [source]
Nutritional Value
MedicinalLettuce contains vitamins A, K, and C, plus minerals like manganese and folate. The red pigmentation indicates anthocyanin antioxidants. [source]
Beneficial Insect Support
WildlifeWhen allowed to flower, Red Splash lettuce provides pollen and nectar for pollinators and beneficial insects supporting the garden ecosystem. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Begin harvesting outer leaves when plant is 4-6 weeks old using the 'cut and come again' method. Use sharp scissors to cut leaves 1-2 inches above soil level, leaving inner leaves to continue growing. Morning harvest offers crispest texture. Full rosette can be harvested at base once or left to regrow. Harvest before temperatures exceed 75°F regularly to prevent bolting and bitterness.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Red Splash lettuce's red coloration develops more intensely in cool weather and with increased sunlight exposure, making fall crops particularly vibrant.
- 🌱 Lettuce is the second most consumed vegetable in the United States after potatoes, and loose-leaf varieties like Red Splash are gaining popularity for home gardeners.
- 🌱 Red Splash can be harvested continuously for 2-3 months using the cut-and-come-again method, making it one of the most productive vegetables per square foot.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Red Splash Lettuce planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Red Splash Lettuce seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.
Get my Red Splash Lettuce timeline →