The moment you’ve been waiting for is here — it’s time to harvest your lettuce! Whether you’re growing crisphead, romaine, butterhead, or looseleaf varieties, the key is timing and technique. Done right, harvesting can actually encourage more growth and keep your greens sweet and tender.
When Is Lettuce Ready to Harvest?
- Looseleaf varieties: 30–45 days after sowing, once leaves are 4–6 inches long
- Romaine and butterhead: 55–65 days, when heads are firm but not overgrown
- Crisphead (iceberg): 70–80 days, when the center is tight and solid
Check daily once the plant nears maturity — lettuce grows fast, and overripe leaves can turn bitter or bolt (go to seed).
How to Harvest Lettuce
For looseleaf varieties:
- Snip outer leaves 1 inch above the base for cut-and-come-again harvesting
- Or cut the entire plant at the base once full size is reached
For head-forming types:
- Use a clean knife to cut just above the soil line
- Remove any damaged or yellowed outer leaves
Always harvest in the cool of the morning for maximum crispness.
After the Harvest
- Rinse gently with cold water
- Dry thoroughly and store in the fridge in a breathable container or produce bag
- Heads last up to 2 weeks, loose leaves about 5–7 days
AiFarming makes harvest easy: We track your sowing date, lettuce type, and local climate to tell you exactly when to pick for peak flavor and yield — with reminders for second sowings, too.