I have always been a salad girl, growing a wide variety of salad crops in my garden. From quinoa and amaranth to kale and spinach, I love experimenting with different flavors and textures. However, when it comes to lettuce, my heart lies with the red varieties. Not only do they add a vibrant burst of color to both the garden and the salad bowl, but they also offer a unique taste and texture. Over the years, I have grown numerous red lettuce varieties, but there are three particular contenders that have captured my heart.
The Three Red Lettuce Contenders:
Red Sails
Want a sure thing? Try Red Sails, a national All-American Selections winning lettuce!
Red Sails is perhaps the most well-known red lettuce variety, and for good reason. It made a splash in 1985 when it won an All-America Selections award. This lettuce forms large frilly heads, measuring up to a foot across, with deep burgundy leaves that gradually turn green towards the base. Not only is it easy to grow, but it is also remarkably tolerant of both cold and heat. Even after bolting, Red Sails remains tasty and bitter-free. In my own garden, it stood up exceptionally well to the unexpected stretch of cold, damp weather we experienced in early June. And when the heatwave hit, it continued to resist bolting, providing an abundance of crisp foliage for our daily salads.
Ruby Gem
Ruby Gem is almost too cute to eat!
Introduced to me a few years ago through Renee’s Garden, Ruby Gem has become my go-to red lettuce. We grow it in the spring and autumn in our open garden, and during the summer, we plant it beside tall crops or structures to offer some shade from the scorching sun. This variety forms attractive rosettes that can grow up to 10 inches across, displaying stunning ruby-red leaves with green hearts. The leaves have a wonderful wavy texture and are incredibly crisp and delicious. If space is a constraint, don’t worry! Ruby Gem also thrives in containers and window-boxes. Just like Red Sails, it has proven to be resistant to bolting in my garden. It thrives throughout spring and continues to provide top-quality leaves well into the summer heat.
Red Deer Tongue
Red deer tongue is a gorgeous red lettuce – even when it bolts!
If you are looking for an heirloom variety with a unique appearance, Red Deer Tongue is the one to try. This lettuce has long, pointed leaves that form loose heads in the garden. The color is simply fantastic, displaying a deep mahogany red that adds elegance to any salad. Not only is it visually striking, but the leaves are also sturdy and hold up well in the salad bowl. The best part is that Red Deer Tongue is an open-pollinated variety, which means you can save your own seeds from this old-fashioned favorite. While it thrives in cooler weather, I have found it to be quick to bolt once the hot summer weather arrives. Therefore, it’s best to save it for spring or fall planting.
Do you have any favorite red lettuce varieties? I would love to hear about your experiences and recommendations! Let’s embark on this colorful culinary journey together.