How to Grow Reine des Glaces
Reine des Glaces
Lactuca sativa var. crispa
vegetableReine des Glaces is a French heirloom lettuce variety known for its stunning deep red and burgundy coloring with crispy, ruffled leaves. This loose-leaf lettuce is prized for its attractive appearance, tender texture, and mild, slightly sweet flavor. It's a cold-hardy variety that develops its best color in cooler weather.
When should you plant Reine des Glaces in your zone?
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Example Reine des Glaces timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Reine des Glaces
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Reine des Glaces
Around Jun 1≈ 45 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Reine des Glaces dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-9; best color develops in cool seasons (spring and fall)
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Get my Reine des Glaces timeline →Growth Stages
Germination
7-10 daysTiny seedlings emerge with cotyledons (seed leaves); very delicate and light green.
Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy. Ensure bright light to prevent leggy growth. Maintain cool temperatures (60-70°F). Avoid overwatering.
Seedling
2-3 weeksFirst true leaves appear; seedlings develop 2-4 leaves and are still small and tender.
Thin seedlings to proper spacing if direct seeded. Keep moisture consistent. Begin fertilizing with dilute liquid fertilizer if growing in containers. Provide 12-14 hours of light daily.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksLoose rosette of ruffled leaves begins to form; foliage expands and deepens in color, especially in cooler conditions. Plants develop characteristic burgundy-red coloring.
Water consistently; steady moisture promotes tender leaves. Apply balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks. Thin plants to final spacing if needed. Keep soil cool with mulch if temperatures rise. Begin harvesting outer leaves.
Maturity
1-2 weeks at peakFull loose-leaf head with deeply ruffled, crispy leaves displaying rich burgundy-red coloring throughout. Plant is at peak eating quality.
Harvest outer leaves regularly to encourage continued growth and prevent bolting. Monitor for heat stress in summer. Continue watering consistently. Reduce nitrogen fertilizer to slow growth if bolting risk increases.
Bolting
7-14 daysFlower stalk emerges from center; leaves become tougher, more bitter, and less crispy. Plant transitions to seed production.
Harvest remaining leaves immediately for best quality. Remove bolting plants to make space for succession plantings. Use bolting plants as entire-plant salad harvests or compost. Provide shade cloth if bolting occurs prematurely in spring.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with strong water stream, insecticidal soap, or neem oil. Introduce ladybugs or lacewings. Use reflective mulches.
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Handpick, especially at night. Use copper tape barriers. Beer traps. Encourage beneficial predators like ground beetles. Apply food-grade diatomaceous earth.
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Use resistant varieties. Rotate crops. Remove infested plants. Treat soil with beneficial nematodes. Avoid overfertilizing.
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Yellow sticky traps. Insecticidal soap or neem oil. Reflective mulches. Encourage parasitic wasps.
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Row covers on young plants. Neem oil or spinosad. Reflective mulches. Trap crops of radishes nearby.
Uses
Salads and fresh eating
CulinaryThe crispy, ruffled leaves are perfect for fresh salads, offering an attractive presentation with a tender, mild flavor. The striking red coloring adds visual appeal to any dish. [source]
Garnish and plating
CulinaryThe decorative burgundy foliage makes Reine des Glaces ideal for plating and garnishing dishes in fine dining and home cooking. [source]
Ornamental kitchen garden
HouseholdWith its beautiful deep red color and attractive leaf texture, this lettuce is as ornamental as it is edible, making it perfect for potager or ornamental vegetable gardens. [source]
Container growing
HouseholdReine des Glaces thrives in containers, pots, and window boxes, making it ideal for small-space gardening, balconies, and patios. [source]
Juice and smoothies
CulinaryThe tender leaves can be added to fresh vegetable juices and smoothies for added nutrition and a mild, slightly sweet flavor. [source]
Harvest Tips
Begin harvesting outer leaves when plants are 4-6 weeks old by cutting them 1-2 inches above soil level; the plant will continue producing new growth. For full-head harvest, cut entire plant at soil level when leaves are crispy and before bolting. Harvest in early morning when leaves are crispest and hydrated. Reine des Glaces is an excellent cut-and-come-again variety. Best color and tenderness occur when grown in cool spring and fall conditions.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Reine des Glaces translates to 'Queen of the Ice' in French, a reference to its delicate, frost-like crispy texture and its exceptional cold tolerance.
- 🌱 This heirloom variety is known for producing more vibrant burgundy coloring at lower temperatures, often developing its most stunning red hues in fall gardens and cool seasons.
- 🌱 The cut-and-come-again harvesting method means a single plant can provide fresh leaves for 4-8 weeks or more with proper care, making it economical for home gardeners.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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