What are the sun requirements for Lactuca sativa 'Black Seeded Simpson'?

Lactuca sativa 'Black Seeded Simpson' requires Part Sun.

How much water does Lactuca sativa 'Black Seeded Simpson' need?

Lactuca sativa 'Black Seeded Simpson' has Medium water needs.

Vegetables

Lactuca sativa 'Black Seeded Simpson'

Black Seeded Simpson Lettuce

Unknown

Open-pollinated heirloom (pre-1850); the species L. sativa is native to the Mediterranean region

At a Glance

TypeAnnual

HabitMounding

FoliageDeciduous

Height6-10 inches (15-25 cm)

Width8-12 inches (20-30 cm)

Maturity1 years

Key Features

Container Friendly

Maintenancelow

Overview

Lactuca sativa 'Black Seeded Simpson' is Black Seeded Simpson lettuce, a loose-leaf (non-heading) annual forming a low mounding rosette 6-10 inches (15-25 cm) tall and 8-12 inches (20-30 cm) wide. Light green broad ruffled tender leaves with prominent white veining. In the daisy family (Asteraceae). Open-pollinated heirloom — one of the oldest American lettuce cultivars (pre-1850). Seed can be saved. Loose-leaf type: no head formation — harvest outer leaves by cut-and-come-again starting at 4 inches (10 cm). One of the fastest lettuces: 45-50 days to full size, 25-30 days for baby leaf. Cold-tolerant: withstands light frost. Bolts in sustained heat above 75-80°F (24-27°C) — the primary limitation. Succession-sow every 2-3 weeks. The variety name refers to the black seed coat, not the leaf color. Slugs are the primary pest. Not deer-resistant. Non-toxic (edible crop). Part sun to full sun. Annual. Growth rate is fast.

Native Range

Open-pollinated heirloom (pre-1850). 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). Loose-leaf lettuce. One of the fastest lettuces. Open-pollinated heirloom. Succession-sow. Non-toxic. Annual.

How to Identify

Identified by a low mounding rosette of light green broad ruffled tender leaves with white veining — non-heading (loose-leaf type). The black seed coat is the naming feature. In Asteraceae.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height6" - 10"

Width/Spread8" - 1'

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 with prominent white veining; broad ruffled thin tender leaves

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

45-50 days from seed

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Part sun to full sun. Rich moist soil pH 6.0-7.0. Cool-season crop — bolts above 75-80 degrees F (24-27 degrees C). Succession-sow every 2-3 weeks. Open-pollinated — save seeds. Slugs. Not deer-resistant. Non-toxic. Annual.

Pruning

Harvest outer leaves by cut-and-come-again starting at 4 inches (10 cm). Leave the central growing point intact. Pull the plant when bolting stalk appears.