Like any other plant out there, iceberg lettuce has particular growth stages and follows a complete cycle. Mainly, there are five stages of lettuce growth, with the last one obviously being the harvest.
I decided to explain these 5 stages one by one, with some tips, times between each one, and interesting facts that you should know.
Iceberg Lettuce Growing Stages: From Seed To Harvest
With the right approach and resources, you can turn your tiny lettuce seeds into fully formed lettuce heads that can be added to salads, stews, and tons of other savory dishes you make at home.
Let’s go over each growth stage in more detail.
Stage 1: Seed Germination
To germinate iceberg lettuce seeds, put them in a seed tray with moist potting soil in it and keep them in a warm place. Moisture aids germination so make sure that the soil is constantly damp.
In about 1-1.5 weeks, small seedlings should begin to emerge. Despite this only being the first step, seeing the tiny seedlings emerge just makes me so happy and excited for some reason, I can’t really explain it.
Stage 2: Seedling Development
The seedling development stage goes by rather quickly. Typically, during this stage, you’ll see true leaves grow and the roots spread a few more inches. This stage will usually last around 2-4 weeks for iceberg lettuce seedlings.
What’s important during this stage is providing your seedlings with some good indirect sunlight. No need to put them out under the sun though, as direct light can scorch the leaves especially when the plant is young.
Stage 3: Vegetative Growth
Vegetative growth typically involves the production of more leaves and a strong root system, which provides a good foundation.
You’ll notice your lettuce leaves become bigger and slightly denser during this stage. In a way, this stage acts as a “launchpad”, preparing the plant for the next stage of head formation.
Stage 4: Head Formation
When your iceberg lettuce plant matures, it will focus more of its energy and resources on head formation. You’ll notice the inner leaves start to become thicker, while the outer leaves gain more vibrant color, forming a compact and densely layered head.
Stage 5: Harvesting Lettuce
Here comes everyone’s favorite part about growing something — the harvest. Personally, I’m the kind of person who enjoys the growing process more than the harvest, but I guess everyone has their preferences.
The harvesting process for iceberg lettuce is simple. With a sharp knife, cut the lettuce head at the base. Ideally, it should be morning time when you harvest since the leafy green will be holding the most moisture during the earliest part of the day.
Tips For Healthy Iceberg Lettuce Growth
Iceberg lettuce grows best in plenty of sun. Do not keep this leafy green hidden away in dark and shaded areas. A good amount of direct light would be ideal.
This leafy green prefers a milder, more balanced temperature for growth. Although lettuce is known to thrive in cool weather, overly high or low temperature conditions are definitely not suitable here.
Iceberg lettuce is quite susceptible to fungal diseases in the garden and, as you already know, these diseases can limit or even completely stunt growth. Therefore, you want to provide your lettuce with some good airflow and use high-quality fungicides if fungal issues do flare up.
