Ice Queen' dates back to 1883, and gets its name because it is cold tolerant, but also tolerates heat well and is slow to bolt. Also considered a summer crisp or Batavia, this bright, emerald green lettuce with frilly leaves has crisp texture and excellent fresh flavor. Also delicious as a baby green in as little as 21 days. You can harvest the outer, frilly leaves while waiting for the head to form.

Days to Maturity: 21-62 days

Family: Asteraceae

Type: Crisphead Lettuce (Learn more)

Native: Unknown; lettuce has been in cultivation for a long time.

Hardiness: Frost-tolerant annual

Exposure: Full sun to part shade

Plant Dimensions: 6"–10" tall and 8" wide

Variety Info: Small, emerald-green center head surrounded by outer leaves with jagged, spikey edges (resembles a crown surrounding the center head). 'Ice Queen' is a crisphead type lettuce with a more open habit than traditional iceberg and is also considered a summer crisp type.

Attributes: Good for Containers, Heat Tolerant, Frost Tolerant

When to Sow Outside: RECOMMENDED. 2 to 4 weeks before your average last frost date, and when soil temperature is at least 40°F, ideally 60°–70°F. Successive Sowings: Every 3 weeks until 4 to 6 weeks before your average first fall frost date. Mild Climates: Sow in fall and winter for cool season harvests.

When to Start Inside: 4 to 6 weeks before your average last frost date, and in summer when soil temperatures are too warm (above 80°F) to germinate lettuce seed.

Days to Emerge: 5–10 days

Seed Depth: Surface to ⅛"

Seed Spacing: A group of 3 seeds every 8"

Row Spacing: 10"

Thinning: When ½" tall, thin to 1 every 8"

Harvesting: Harvest in the morning, by cutting off at ground level. If regrowth is desired, cut the leaves higher, at 2". For a continual supply, outer, individual leaves can be harvested at any stage of maturity, but leave at least half of the plant for regrowth.