The recommended spacing for planting lettuce depends on the type of lettuce and your harvesting goals:
- For full-sized head lettuce (such as romaine or butterhead), space plants about 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm) apart to allow them to mature properly
- For looseleaf or leaf lettuce, spacing can be closer, typically 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) apart, especially if you plan to harvest baby greens or outer leaves frequently
- If growing baby lettuce for small heads, a spacing of 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm) works well
- Rows are usually spaced 12 to 18 inches (30 to 45 cm) apart to provide enough room for growth and airflow
- Some gardeners plant leaf lettuce very densely (about 3 inches apart) for continuous harvesting of small leaves, but this requires frequent harvesting to prevent overcrowding
In summary, a good general guideline is:
Lettuce Type| Plant Spacing| Row Spacing
---|---|---
Head lettuce (romaine, butterhead)| 10-12 inches (25-30 cm)| 12-18 inches
(30-45 cm)
Looseleaf / leaf lettuce| 4-6 inches (10-15 cm)| 12-18 inches (30-45 cm)
Baby lettuce (small heads)| 6-8 inches (15-20 cm)| 12-18 inches (30-45 cm)
Adjust spacing based on your space, variety, and whether you want to harvest baby greens or mature heads
