Here you will find a detailed overview of old and new types of lettuce and we will introduce you to the most important types of lettuce, from lettuce to chicory with pictures.
The world of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is diverse and colourful. You don't have to choose just one type or variety of lettuce, you can grow a wide variety of lettuce in your own garden. This means that fresh lettuce can be harvested almost all year round.
What types of lettuce are there?
Botanically, most known lettuce can be divided into two groups: the lettuce group (Lactuca) and the chicory group (Cichorium ). Typical for the lettuce group is the milky, white plant sap that emerges from interfaces and is slightly bitter. The group includes lettuce, iceberg lettuce, Batavia lettuce, romaine lettuce, picking and cut lettuce - this includes oak leaf lettuce as well as Lollo Rosso and Bionda. The second group includes chicory such as chicory, endive, radicchio, leaf chicory and sugar loaf. Salads in this group are significantly more bitter than lettuce. But they also boast a higher vitamin and mineral content.
Overview of lettuce types by group:
- Leaf Group: Lettuce, iceberg lettuce, batavia lettuce, romaine lettuce, pick and cut lettuce (such as lollo lettuce or oak leaf lettuce)
- Chicory group: Chicory, endive, radicchio, sugar loaf, leaf chicory
- Other salads without a group: Lambs lettuce, rocket, purslane, postelein
Lead Types and Varieties
Crisp, mostly green and he althy: The lettuce from the lettuce group is the ultimate salad classic. In the following, we will introduce you to the individual types of lettuce group and show you a selection of recommended varieties.
Batavia Salad
Batavia lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. capitata) is still unfamiliar to many, as this type of lettuce has only recently been introduced to us becomes more popular. The lettuce from France resembles lettuce or iceberg lettuce in appearance. What is special about this species isthe leaves are heavily curled at the leaf margin. These are usually green, but depending on the variety, they can also be reddish or green with a red edge.
Green Batavia lettuce varieties:
- ˈAgribelˈ: Loose heads with heavily curled leaves
- ˈDoree de printempsˈ: This variety has green leaves that are wavy and blistered on the outside
- ˈImpressionˈ: This variety has an open, spherical habit and slightly wavy, light green leaves
- ˈKendoˈ: Particularly crisp hands
- ˈLenyˈ: Particularly large and light green heads of lettuce
- ˈSolasieˈ: Lush, light green, very wavy and blistered leaves
Red and colorful Batavia lettuce varieties:
- ˈAmerican Brownerˈ: This variety has leaves that are brown-red on the outside and green on the inside, delicately wavy
- ˈKamaliaˈ: Has strongly curled, reddish leaves
- ˈMaravilla de Veranoˈ: This variety is red with a delicate, light green heart
- ˈZaragozaˈ: Has green leaves that turn slightly reddish towards the leaf edges and does not form tight heads
- ˈSteirer Krauthäuptelˈ: This variety is also known as Grazer Lettuce and forms loose heads that have green leaves with a red edge
- ˈTarengoˈ: Has red-green leaves that are slightly blistered
- ˈTeideˈ: Particularly suitable as a cut or picking lettuce
Oak Leaf Lettuce
The oak leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. crispa) is sometimes also called oak leaf lettuce or American lettuce because its partially loose heads are ideal suitable as cut or picking lettuce. So it is a variation of the pickle lettuce. Other varieties, on the other hand, also form firmer heads that can be harvested as a whole. The typical leaves of the oak leaf lettuce are reminiscent of oak leaves with their wavy edges.
Oak leaf lettuce varieties with green foliage:
- ˈPiroˈ: Produces particularly large heads with firm, green leaves
- ˈRadichettaˈ: Serrated, pointed, green leaves make the heads of this variety look very special
- ˈSalad Bowlˈ: Forms particularly large heads with lush green leaves
- ˈSmileˈ: Forms large, open, double heads in light green
- ˈStrubelpeterˈ: Forms large, dense leaf rosettes; the leaves are light green
- ˈTillˈ: The leaves of this variety are green with a light yellow heart; their shape is also special: the leaves are tapered
Oak leaf lettuce varieties with red leaves:
- ˈBijellaˈ: Medium sized, compact heads with reddish brown leaves with a fresh green heart
- ˈBolchoïˈ: Forms red, wavy leaves; the heads are compact and open
- ˈNavaraˈ: The leaves of this variety are both green and red
- ˈRed Salad Bowlˈ: This light red variety of oak leaf lettuce forms large, relatively loose heads
- ˈRubinetteˈ: This variety has open but filled heads with crisp, red leaves
Iceberg lettuce
Iceberg lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. crispum) or iceberg lettuce is the classic among green salads. Originally from the USA, it owes its name to the mountains of ice on which it used to be stored and kept fresh. Cultivation in your own bed is very easy and the large variety of different varieties invites you to try them out.
Recommended iceberg lettuce varieties:
- ˈBarcelonaˈ: Forms large, round heads
- ˈBlondes de Parisˈ: Has yellow-green leaves that are particularly tender
- ˈFortunasˈ: Forms large, bolt-resistant heads
- ˈGreat Lakes 118ˈ: Firm, medium-sized heads with green, crisp leaves
- ˈLaibacher Eisˈ: medium-sized, red-green colored heads
- ˈMariusˈ: Large, heavy heads; the leaves are light green
- ˈMythˈ: The outer leaves are jagged and rich green on the outside
- ˈRegina dei Ghiacciˈ: Large, densely filled heads of intense green, crunchy jagged leaves
- ˈRossiaˈ: Heavily filled, elongated heads with red-brown outer leaves and yellow-green inner leaves
- ˈSaladinˈ: Particularly resistant to bolting and forms large, very tight heads with yellow-green leaves
- ˈSiouxˈ: Delivers medium-sized heads with bright dark red wrapper and binder
- ˈSophieˈ: This new variety forms firm heads with a red binder
- ˈStylistˈ: Bold-proof iceberg lettuce variety; delivers a high yield
Leet
Head lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. capitata) is probably one of the best-known types of lettuce. Its large, rounded shape reminds us of a head, hence its name. Lettuce has large, tender leaves that are not very crisp. The buttery consistency of the leaves has earned it the middle name butter lettuce. The leaves of lettuce are usually green, but there are also varieties with red or bicolored leaves.
Green Lettuce Varieties:
- ˈBriweriˈ: Compact, rather small heads with strong binders and lighter inner leaves
- ˈKagraner Sommer 2ˈ: Suitable for cultivation in midsummer and forms fresh green, heavy heads
- ˈLarissaˈ: Very early, medium-sized, firm-headed variety
- ˈLucindeˈ: Fast development and medium-heavy heads; suitable for outdoor cultivation
- ˈLunaˈ: Green early and summer salads with large heads
- ˈMaikönigˈ: Particularly spicy taste and medium-sized, firm heads
- ˈNeckarriesenˈ: Well suited for spring, early summer and autumn cultivation and forms particularly large, firm heads
- ˈRolandoˈ: Medium early, shiny, fresh green lettuce; the heads are big and heavy
- ˈSkipperˈ: Makes big beautiful light green heads
- ˈSuzanˈ: Robust and bolt-resistant
- ˈWonder of Stuttgartˈ: Traditionally grown in summer; forms particularly delicate, large, yellow-green heads
Red and Variegated Lettuce Varieties:
- ˈBunte Forelleˈ: Colorful lettuce variety that surprises with its green leaves speckled with old pink; the heads are darker, stronger and larger than the species ˈgolden troutˈ
- ˈGoldtroutˈ: The leaf color of this colorful lettuce variety is very special: The leaf is golden green with old pink speckles and lightens towards the middle
- ˈIndian Pearlˈ: Brings forth beautiful medium-sized heads that are light yellow on the inside and reddish on the outside
- ˈMerveille des quatre saisonsˈ: Red-brown lettuce variety with good head formation and good bolting resistance
- ˈPiratˈ: Very fast-growing, compact lettuce variety with red-brown leaves; forms a fine, slightly blistered leaf
- ˈRoxy rotˈ: Red lettuce variety that develops dark red, glossy outdoor lettuce with a light green heart
Pick lettuce & cut lettuce
Cut and pick lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. crispa), in contrast to lettuce, for example, does not form firm heads, but only loose leaf rosettes . The advantage of this is that individual lettuce leaves can be harvested as needed and the lettuce keeps growing back. So you can enjoy fresh salad all summer long.
Plucking or cutting lettuce is very diverse and mostly varieties of oak leaf lettuce, Batavia lettuce or Lollo Rosso or Bionda are used. In general, all varieties of the species listed can be used as lettuce for picking and cuttingare used that grow loosely and do not form solid heads. Mixtures that are particularly suitable for growing as a lettuce are often offered in the trade.
Recommended lettuce and cut lettuce types:
- ˈAustralian Yellow Flowerˈ: Forms large, leafy solitary plants with light green, delicate leaves
- ˈCatalongaˈ: fast-growing variety; forms dense bushes with long, lobed, dandelion-like, delicately crisp, light green leaves
- ˈGritˈ: Newly bred variety with dark red leaves; can be grown from spring to autumn
- ˈOx Tongueˈ: Forms large plants with rich green, fleshy, tender leaves with a slightly nutty flavor
- ˈRed Velvetˈ: Particularly dark, red-brown foliage; has a mild, full taste
- ˈRedboneˈ: Glossy red and slightly blistered leaves; can be grown from spring to autumn
- ˈSwabian Yellowˈ: Old Swabian country variety with yellow-green, firm leaves
- ˈSolmarˈ: Strongly curled and bright red leaves
- ˈWitte Dunselˈ: Makes smooth, light green leaves and can be grown all year round
Lollo Salad
Lollo lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. crispa) can be grown as a whole head of lettuce, as well as for picking or cutting and is therefore also a variation of the pickle salad. It is characterized by its particularly curly leaves. There are two varieties of lollo lettuce, namely a red one and a green one.
Red and Green Lollo Lettuce Varieties:
- 'Lollo Rosso': Yields small, very curly plants with dark red foliage; the harvest time is from mid-May to mid-September
- 'Lollo Bionda': The green brother of 'Lollo Rosso' is just as curly, but has light green leaves
Rose Lettuce
Rosella lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. longif.webpolia) is also known under the names romaine lettuce, endive, summer lettuce or cooking lettuce. It is a summer salad and can be enjoyed both raw and cooked. It forms oblong, firm heads of lettuce with green outer leaves and a yellow heart. The leaves are particularly crunchy and can be stored longer than other lettuce. Some varieties also form red leaves. The taste is spicy and slightly tart. Compared to other salads, romaine lettuce contains a lot of vitamins C and A as well as iron.
Recommended romaine lettuce varieties:
- 'Attico': Develops dark green, approximately 12 cm high romaine lettuce and is known for its excellent taste and lettuce hearts
- 'Corbana': Particularly large and upright growing heads
- ‘Gohar’: mini romaine lettuce with green leaves
- 'Intred': mini romaine lettuce with red leaves
- ‘Lentissima a Montare Sel. Franchi': Particularly long heads and delicately ribbed, light green heads
- 'Little Gem': Compact, small, fast-growing romaine lettuce with a high weight
- 'Moonred': Deep dark red leaves
- ‘Tantan’: Crunchy, approx. 18 cm tall romaine lettuce with very tasty lettuce hearts
- 'Devil's Ears': speci alty from France; has oblong, green leaves with dark red tips
- 'Valmaine': Classic, upright growing, dark green romaine lettuce variety; forms crisp, oblong leaves and can also be grown as a baby leaf lettuce
- 'Xanadu': Makes compact, short-stemmed mini romaine lettuce
Types and varieties of lettuce from the chicory group
The salads that belong to the chicory group all have one thing in common: they have a bitter taste. However, they are also particularly he althy thanks to their vitamins, minerals and bitter substances.
Chicory
Chicory (Cichorium intybus var. foliosum) does not look like a typical lettuce at first glance, as its shape is more like resembles a pointed cabbage. In fact, the winter salad can be enjoyed both cold and warm. Chicory is particularly popular in France and the Benelux countries, which is why it is also known as Brussels lettuce. Cultivation in our latitudes is not easy, but it can also be successful if you choose the right variety.
Recommended chicory varieties:
- ˈBrussels Witloofˈ: Forms yellow-green, firm heads
- ˈDi Bruxellesˈ: Forms heavy, firm heads; Harvest time is from the beginning of December to the end of February
- ˈEtardoˈ: Forms firm, small heads and can be harvested between December and March
- ˈMacunˈ: high yielding new breed, ready to harvest from mid-November to late January
- ˈRobinˈ: Forms white heads that are bordered purple instead of the typical yellow
- ˈZoomˈ: Fixed long heads; Harvest time between October and November
Radicchio
Radicchio(Cichorium intybus var.foliosum) is known as a round or oblong, red-leaved lettuce with a bitter note. The lettuce comes from Italy and, thanks to its bitter substances, is beneficial for the stomach and digestion and can also be used in a variety of ways in the kitchen. The varieties are divided according to their shape and color: There are round, oblong and colorful radicchio.
Round radicchio varieties:
- 'Orchidea Rossa': All bright red leaves; Head is loosely open
- ‘Palla Rossa’: Forms round, small heads that shine in an appetizing red with white leaf veins
- ‘Rosso di Chioggia’: Forms the round, dark red heads with white ribbed leaves typical of radicchio; also suitable for cultivation in Northern Germany
Elongated radicchio varieties:
- 'Di Trevisio': Particularly tall varieties; good resistance to cold; bears white ribbed, dark red leaves
- 'Granato': Elongated head shape and deep red leaves with white veins; is ideal for dipping sauces, creams and for topping and decorating bread
- 'Treviso 206 TT': Makes compact, elongated heads with deep red leaves with broad, white petioles
Colourful radicchio varieties:
- 'Der Gelbe von Trieste': Impresses with yellow-green, round-oval leaves that have a mild taste
- ‘Galileo’: Yellow to light green radicchio; peculiar pink-red spots; fine, mild taste; highly recommended for salads
- 'Variegata di Lusia': Solid light green heads; fine and mild taste
Endive Salad
Endive (Cichorium intybus) is a late summer lettuce with a high vitamin and mineral content. However, not everyone likes the taste, because it is quite bitter. However, endives are frugal to grow and they can grow well here too, although they originally come from the Mediterranean region.
Recommended endive varieties:
- ˈBionda a cuore pienoˈ: Forms large, green-leaved heads that are not very curled
- ˈBubikopf 2ˈ: Robust variety with slightly wavy leaves and a dense, self-bleaching heart
- ˈCuor d'Oroˈ: Trains large heads with filled hearts
- ˈDivaˈ: Impresses with its upright growthand through the early filled lettuce hearts
- ˈEminenceˈ: Very fast and productive variety with densely filled heads and high yellow core
- ˈErosˈ: Particularly large, slightly curled leaves
- ˈGroboˈ: Has broad, green, short and upright leaves and is also hardy and productive
- ˈGrosse Pancalièreˈ: Old variety; is appreciated for its particularly pronounced leaf curl
- ˈGreen Escaroleˈ: Reliable and sensitive to frost; the leaves are green, the lettuce hearts are yellow
- ˈMyrnaˈ: Very productive variety; impresses with a densely filled, light yellow lettuce heart
- ˈNuanceˈ: Very robust, smooth-leaved, fast-growing endive variety with a dense, aromatic heart
- ˈPancalieriˈ: Oblong and wavy leaves of intense green color with long white veins; white and voluminous heart
- ˈWalloneˈ: Particularly curly, green-leaved; nicely filled center
Sugar Loaf Salad
The sugar loaf (Cichorium intybus var. foliosum) as chicory salad is closely related to endive and radicchio. It also tastes bitter and is grown in autumn. It owes its name to the typical sugar loaf shape. Its bitterness and minerals make it nutritionally valuable and it is easy to grow in the garden. Another advantage of sugar loaf is its good shelf life, which is rather atypical for lettuce. The selection of varieties of sugar loaf is not very extensive.
Recommended Sugar Loaf Lettuce Varieties:
- 'Nettundo TT': Forms compact, cylindrical heads with a very aromatic, slightly sweet taste
- ‘Auslese’: Round, mostly pointed heads
- 'Uranus': Carries long, high-closed heads
Types of lettuce without a group
Some salads are neither chicory nor lettuce. We will introduce these types of lettuce to you below.
corn salad
Lambs lettuce (Valerianella locusta) is known by many euphonious names: it is also called Rapunzel, Nüssli or Vogelsalat. As a winter lettuce, it can still be harvested when most other lettuce takes a break from growing. In addition to its nutty taste, it is also valued for its high vitamin content. The cultivars are roughly divided into two groups: large-leaved and small-leaved cultivars, with the small-leaved ones having a more aromatic flavor while the larger-leaved onesvarieties the yield is higher.
Lambs lettuce varieties with small leaves:
- ˈFavorˈ: Dark green, fast-growing leaves; suitable for year-round cultivation
- ˈGalaˈ: Robust and fast-growing, suitable for year-round cultivation
- ˈKölner Palmˈ: Old variety from Cologne; has elongated, light green leaves and a distinctive aroma
- ˈMirtaˈ: Very productive and fast growing
- ˈVerte à coeur plein 2ˈ: Robust variety with small leaves; also called Dark Green Hearted One
- ˈVerte de Cambraiˈ: Small, round, dark green leaves
Large-leaved lamb's lettuce varieties:
- ˈAmelyˈ: Suitable for autumn, winter and spring cultivation; dark green, leafy variety
- ˈElanˈ: Compact and very fast growing; very productive
- ˈEtampesˈ: Dark green leaves and a bountiful harvest
- ˈDutch Broadleafˈ: Elongated, rather light green leaves
- ˈLisbeths Rapünzelchenˈ: Old, robust variety; oblong leaves in soft green
- ˈVitˈ: Compact growing varieties; distinct veins on the round, dark green leaves
You can find even more interesting lamb's lettuce varieties here.
Purslane
Purslane (Portulaca oleracea) is not a classic lettuce, but its small, rounded, dark green leaves provide a crunchy leafy vegetable all summer long that can be enjoyed like a salad. Summer purslane is also extremely he althy: the leaves are full of vitamins and minerals. In addition to wild purslane, there are also cultivated varieties.
Recommended purslane varieties:
- ˈFireflyˈ: Can grow up to 50 cm high and gives a very rich harvest; the leaves have a rather sour taste
- ˈKuzminsky Semkoˈ: Forms light green leaves and small, yellow flowers; fast-growing variety; quickly produces a lot of leaf mass
- ˈMacoveiˈ: Fast-growing variety; crisp green leaves
- ˈParadoxˈ: Particularly thick, fleshy leaves; ripe very quickly
Postelein
Not to be confused with purslane, but confusingly similar is Postelein (Claytonia perfoliata). In contrast to the summer purslane, Postelein is cultivated throughout the winter. Other well-known names for Postelein are common plate herb, Cuban spinach or winter purslane. Originally in North Americanative, the herb also grows very well here and provides many vitamins and minerals during the cold season. However, the leafy vegetable does not look like a typical salad: Postelein consists of long stems with ovoid, fleshy leaves. These are characterized by their fresh, sour yet mild taste.
Arugula
Behind the Italian name rocket there are two different plant genera: the common rocket (Eruca sativa) and the wild rocket (Diplotaxis tenuifolia ). Both types contain many mustard oils; that's why they have their intense, spicy, slightly hot taste, which is why many people particularly appreciate rocket salad. Although both types of rocket are similar in cultivation, there are still some small but subtle differences. The leaves of the wild rocket are smaller and more narrowly pinnate than those of the common rocket. The wild rocket can be cultivated for several years and has a more intense taste. The salad rocket is only cultivated once a year and has a milder taste. She is also faster grower.
Variety of Wild Rocket:
- ˈDragons Tongueˈ: Hardy strain; has an intense, spicy aroma
- ˈNapoliˈ: High yield; particularly wide leaves
- ˈVeniciaˈ: Due to its late flowering period, this variety can be grown for a particularly long time
Varieties of rocket salad:
- ˈColtivataˈ: Broad, fast-growing leaves
- ˈProntoˈ: Very fast growth and good taste
- ˈWildfireˈ: Broad, light green leaves; particularly hot taste
- 'Sylvetta': Fast-growing variety with fine leaves and an early flowering time; nice, slightly nutty aroma
You can read more about the different types of rocket here.
Tip: For a rich harvest, it is best to use a high-quality and nutrient-rich substrate such as our Plantura organic tomato & vegetable soil.