Lettuce Oakleaf Large Red brings rich red colour and productive loose leaves to edible gardens, salad bowls and containers.

View our detailed grow guide: Lettuce Grow Guide for South African Conditions

Quick Grow Facts

• Plant Type: Cool-season leafy vegetable annual.
• Scientific Name: Lactuca sativa
• General Sowing Time: Autumn to spring in most South African gardens; sow in small batches for continuous harvests and avoid peak summer heat where possible.
• Position: Full sun in cool weather; light shade during hot spells.
• Sow Depth: About 1 cm deep.
• Spacing: 15-30 cm apart, depending on whether harvesting baby leaves or larger heads.
• Germination: Keep evenly moist; high temperatures can reduce or delay germination.
• Height: Around 20-30 cm.

Why Grow This Variety

• Red oakleaf leaves bring colour and texture to salads.
• The loose-leaf habit suits cut-and-come-again harvesting.
• Containers, raised beds, kitchen gardens and edible borders all suit the variety.
• Pelleted seed is easier to sow accurately than very fine raw seed.

Garden Uses

Plant Oakleaf Large Red with green lettuce, herbs or other cool-season vegetables, then harvest outer leaves regularly or cut larger plants for fresh salads.

Growing Notes

• Sow little and often rather than all at once for steadier harvests.
• Keep soil consistently moist, especially during warm, dry weather.
• Use fertile, moisture-retentive soil with good drainage.
• Provide light shade in hot conditions to reduce stress and bitterness.

Brought to you by Ubuntuberg Seeds, where our mission is to cultivate humanity & harvest unity. Ubuntuberg Seeds: the highest quality seed stock in all of Southern Africa, sourced from sustainable farms, guaranteeing you the best quality seed stock.