What are the sun requirements for Lactuca sativa 'Red Sails'?

Lactuca sativa 'Red Sails' requires Part Sun.

How much water does Lactuca sativa 'Red Sails' need?

Lactuca sativa 'Red Sails' has Medium water needs.

Vegetables

Lactuca sativa 'Red Sails'

Red Sails Lettuce

Asteraceae

Open-pollinated cultivar (AAS 1985); the species L. sativa is native to the Mediterranean region

At a Glance

TypeAnnual

HabitMounding

FoliageDeciduous

Height8-12 inches (20-30 cm)

Width10-14 inches (25-35 cm)

Maturity1 years

Key Features

Container Friendly

Maintenancelow

Overview

Lactuca sativa 'Red Sails' is Red Sails lettuce (red leaf lettuce), a loose-leaf (non-heading) annual forming a low mounding rosette 8-12 inches (20-30 cm) tall and 10-14 inches (25-35 cm) wide. Broad ruffled leaves with frilly margins — green at the base transitioning to burgundy-red at tips and margins. The burgundy-red color is from anthocyanin pigments — intensifies in cool weather and full sun, fades in shade and heat. In the daisy family (Asteraceae). Open-pollinated (AAS 1985 — All-America Selections winner). 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 more bolt-resistant red-leaf lettuces — holds longer than many red cultivars before bolting. Bolts in sustained heat above 80°F (27°C) — the primary limitation. The red color fades in hot weather before bolting occurs. 45-55 days to full size, 25-30 days for baby leaf. Succession-sow every 2 weeks. 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 cultivar (AAS 1985). The species L. sativa is native to the Mediterranean region.

Suggested Uses

Grown in vegetable gardens, raised beds, and containers of at least 2 gallons (8 L). Red loose-leaf lettuce — AAS 1985. Bolt-resistant. Open-pollinated. Succession-sow. Non-toxic. Not deer-resistant. Annual.

How to Identify

Identified by a low mounding rosette of broad ruffled leaves with frilly margins — green at the base transitioning to burgundy-red at tips and margins. The red-tipped frilly leaves distinguish Red Sails from green loose-leaf types. Loose-leaf (non-heading). In Asteraceae.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height8" - 1'

Width/Spread10" - 1'2"

Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow

Foliage Colors

red

burgundy

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bolts in sustained heat — yellow composite flowers (daisy family). Bolting makes leaves bitter. Pull the plant when the bolting stalk appears. One of the more bolt-resistant red-leaf cultivars.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

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

Foliage Description

Green at base transitioning to burgundy-red at tips and margins; the red color intensifies in cool weather and full sun; broad ruffled leaves with frilly margins

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 silt

Drainagemoist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

45-55 days from seed to full-size leaf; 25-30 days for baby leaf

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Part sun to full sun. Rich moist soil pH 6.0-7.0. Cool-season crop — bolts above 80 degrees F (27 degrees C). Red color intensifies in cool weather and sun — fades in heat and shade. Succession-sow every 2 weeks. Open-pollinated (AAS 1985) — 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 — leaves become bitter. Succession-sow.