Celtuce
Lactuca sativa var. augustana
vegetableCeltuce (Lactuca sativa var. augustana), also called stem lettuce or asparagus lettuce, is a type of lettuce bred for its thick, succulent flower stalk rather than its leaves. The peeled stem is crisp, juicy, and mildly nutty, eaten raw in salads or stir-fried, while the young leaves can be used like leaf lettuce before they turn bitter. As a cool-season lettuce it bolts in heat, but here that bolting is the goal, since it produces the swollen, edible stem. It is grown as an annual.
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Sun
full sun to partial shade
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Water
Every 4 days
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Harvest
~85 days
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Difficulty
medium
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Lifecycle
annual
One season, then done
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Spacing
10-12 in apart
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Planting Depth
Sow 0.25 in deep
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Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Growing Details
Soil Type
Fertile, moist, well-drained
Hardiness Zones
Zones 4 – 9
Grown as an annual. This range is its winter hardiness, but you can grow it for a single season in any zone.
When to Fertilize
Feed lightly and evenly through growth
Fertilizer
Balanced fertilizer or compost; steady nitrogen for tender stems
🌱 Growing Guide
Grow celtuce like lettuce, in full sun to light afternoon shade in fertile, moist, well-drained soil. Start seed indoors about four weeks before the last frost or direct sow in early spring, and again in late summer for a fall crop, since cool weather grows the best stems. Thin plants to about 10 to 12 in apart so the stem can thicken. Keep the soil evenly moist and feed lightly, as steady, unchecked growth gives the most tender stems; drought stress makes them tough and bitter. Harvest when the stem is thick but before the plant flowers.
Planting Calendar
Sign in to personalize →spring planting
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Start seeds indoors
Feb 25
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Transplant outdoors
Apr 1
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Projected first harvest
Jun 25
fall planting
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Direct sow
Aug 25
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Projected first harvest
Nov 18
JJan
FFeb
MMar
AApr
MMay
JJun
J
✅ Plant alongside
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
- Carrot: Uses different root space and makes good use of the bed
- Radish: Quick crop harvested before the celtuce needs the room
- Beet: A cool-season companion with complementary needs
🛡️ Pest & disease prevention
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts. Tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
Cluster on leaves and stem; rinse off and conserve ladybugs
Chew leaves and stems; use barriers, traps, and handpicking
Tunnel inside leaves; remove mined leaves and use row cover
🌾 Harvest & storage
Harvest celtuce when the central stem has thickened to about an inch and is roughly a foot tall, but before flower buds open, as bolting turns the stem bitter and woody. Cut the whole stalk at the base, strip the leaves, and peel off the tough, slightly bitter outer skin to reach the crisp, pale green core, which is eaten raw or cooked. Young leaves taken earlier can be used like lettuce.
🥗 Nutrition & benefits
Celtuce is low in calories and a good source of vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, and folate. The crisp peeled stem is eaten raw or stir-fried, and the young leaves like leaf lettuce.
For educational and informational purposes only. HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.