Mâche

Valerianella locusta

vegetable

Also known as corn salad or lambs lettuce, Mache is a tiny rosette-forming winter salad green with small, round, very tender leaves and a delicate, slightly nutty flavor. One of the most cold-hardy salad greens available, surviving temperatures down to 5 F in some varieties. The traditional winter and early spring salad green of France and Northern Europe.

✅ Plant alongside

Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests

• Strawberry: Traditional European combination; mache fills space between strawberry plants
• Carrot: Efficient cool-season bed companion
• Spinach: Similar cold tolerance and care requirements
• Chervil: Classic French salad garden companion with compatible flavor profile

🛡️ Pest & disease prevention

Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts. Tap a name with an arrow for its full guide

• Slugs →

  The primary pest; diatomaceous earth; beer traps; handpick after rain

• Aphids →

  Water blast; insecticidal soap; rarely a severe problem on mache

• Downy mildew →

  Ensure airflow; avoid overhead watering; remove affected plants

• Cutworms →

  Beneficial nematodes in soil; collar protection for dense plantings

🌾 Harvest & storage

Harvest whole rosettes when they reach 2 to 3 inches across by cutting at the base. Or harvest individual outer leaves from multiple plants. Use immediately or store briefly. Mache is very delicate and wilts quickly. Best served simply with a light vinaigrette to showcase the delicate flavor. Rinse gently in cold water and dry immediately before serving.

🥗 Nutrition & benefits

Surprisingly high in omega-3 fatty acids for a salad green, higher than most other lettuces. Excellent source of vitamins A, C, and B6, iron, and potassium. One of the most nutrient-dense winter salad greens available per calorie.