Lettuce Spacing Guide
Proper spacing for crisp, productive salad greens
Quick Reference
Spacing by Lettuce Type
Leaf Lettuce (Loose-leaf)
Most forgiving type - harvest outer leaves, plant keeps producing.
Romaine
Upright growth with tall, sturdy leaves.
Butterhead
Soft, loose heads with buttery texture.
Crisphead (Iceberg)
Tight, dense heads - most demanding to grow.
Intensive Planting Methods
Cut-and-Come-Again
For continuous baby greens harvest:
- • Broadcast seeds densely (1/4" apart)
- • Harvest at 3-4 inches tall
- • Cut 1 inch above soil
- • Regrows 2-3 times
- • Best for leaf lettuce varieties
Succession Planting
For continuous harvest of mature plants:
- • Plant new rows every 2 weeks
- • Space at full recommended distance
- • Harvest whole heads at maturity
- • Keeps fresh lettuce coming all season
- • Works for all lettuce types
Container Growing
Lettuce is excellent for containers - shallow roots don't need deep pots.
- • Container depth: 6 inches minimum
- • Window box: 3-4 leaf lettuce plants
- • 5-gallon pot: 1 head or 2-3 leaf
- • Position: Partial shade in summer
- • Water: Keep consistently moist
- • Feed: Light fertilizer every 2 weeks
Frequently Asked Questions
How far apart should lettuce be planted?
Spacing depends on type: leaf lettuce 4-6 inches, romaine 6-8 inches, head lettuce (butterhead) 8-10 inches, and crisphead (iceberg) 12-14 inches apart.
How many lettuce per square foot?
In square foot gardening: leaf lettuce 4 per square foot, romaine 2 per square foot, head lettuce 1 per square foot. Great for intensive planting!
Can I plant lettuce closer together?
Yes! For baby greens and cut-and-come-again harvesting, you can broadcast seeds densely and harvest young leaves. Thin as needed if growing to maturity.
What happens if lettuce is too crowded?
Crowded lettuce bolts faster, produces smaller heads, and is more prone to disease and slug damage due to poor air circulation.