What are the sun requirements for Lactuca sativa 'Arctic King'?

Lactuca sativa 'Arctic King' requires Part Sun.

How much water does Lactuca sativa 'Arctic King' need?

Lactuca sativa 'Arctic King' has Medium water needs.

Vegetables

Lactuca sativa 'Arctic King'

Arctic King Lettuce

Unknown

Open-pollinated heirloom (English, pre-1880); the species L. sativa is native to the Mediterranean region

At a Glance

TypeAnnual

HabitMounding

FoliageDeciduous

Height6-8 inches (15-20 cm)

Width6-8 inches (15-20 cm)

Maturity1 years

Key Features

Container Friendly

Maintenancelow

Overview

Lactuca sativa 'Arctic King' is Arctic King lettuce (Arctic King butterhead), a butterhead (bibb-type) annual forming a compact mounding rosette 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) tall and 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) wide with a loose soft head. Light green outer leaves transitioning to pale yellow-green hearts. Smooth soft buttery-textured. In the daisy family (Asteraceae). Open-pollinated heirloom (English, pre-1880). Seed can be saved. The cold-hardiest butterhead cultivar commonly available — withstands temperatures to 20°F (-7°C) with row cover protection. Overwinters under row cover in zones 6-9. Butterhead type: forms a loose soft head (not a tight crisp head like iceberg). Bolts in sustained heat above 75-80°F (24-27°C). The small head size — 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) — is a limitation for gardeners seeking large heads. Succession-sow every 2-3 weeks. Slugs are the primary pest. Not deer-resistant. Non-toxic (edible crop). Part sun to full sun. Annual. Growth rate is moderate.

Native Range

Open-pollinated heirloom (English, pre-1880). The species L. sativa is native to the Mediterranean region.

Suggested Uses

Grown in vegetable gardens, raised beds, and containers of at least 1 gallon (4 L). Butterhead lettuce — the cold-hardiest. Overwinters with row cover. Open-pollinated heirloom. Succession-sow. Non-toxic. Not deer-resistant. Annual.

How to Identify

Identified by a compact mounding rosette forming a loose soft butterhead with smooth buttery-textured light green leaves. Distinguished from crisphead (tight firm) and romaine (upright elongated) by the loose soft head. In Asteraceae.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height6" - 8"

Width/Spread6" - 8"

Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bolts in sustained heat — pale yellow composite flowers (daisy family). Bolting makes leaves bitter. Pull the plant when the bolting stalk appears.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Pale yellow, daisy-family composite — only if allowed to bolt; undesirable

Foliage Description

Light green outer leaves transitioning to pale yellow-green hearts; smooth soft buttery-textured

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun Partial Shade

Requires 3-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam

Drainagemoist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

55-70 days from seed

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Part sun to full sun. Rich moist soil pH 6.0-7.0. The cold-hardiest butterhead — overwinters with row cover in zones 6-9. Bolts above 75-80 degrees F (24-27 degrees C). Succession-sow. Open-pollinated — save seeds. Slugs. Not deer-resistant. Non-toxic. Annual.

Pruning

Harvest the entire head at the base, or harvest outer leaves by cut-and-come-again. Pull the plant when bolting stalk appears. Succession-sow every 2-3 weeks.