No. It is full-size romaine reaching approximately 30 cm tall and forming one large heavy head. It therefore needs approximately 25–30 cm between plants and more space than Little Gem. It may be harvested young, but natural size is a large upright romaine. Dark-green wrapper leaves surround a pale well-blanched heart and ribs remain thick and crisp through maturity.
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Full-size tall upright green romaine
Asteraceae
Organic stem vegetable seeds
Organic ‘Coastal Star’ green romaine lettuce (Lactuca sativa ‘Coastal Star’)
Lactuca sativa ‘Coastal Star’
‘Coastal Star’ is full-size tall very upright romaine with large heavy heads of glossy blistered dark-green leaves. Wrapper foliage remains raised above soil and surrounds a pale tender well-blanched heart. Johnny’s lists 57 days after transplanting and West Coast Seeds 65 days; baby leaves harvest around 28 days. Cornell documents corky root rot and lettuce mosaic virus resistance plus heat tolerance.
Quantity
Approximately 50 coated seeds
Exposure
Full sun to light partial shade
Difficulty level
Easy
Discover the plant
Family
Asteraceae
Genus
Lactuca
Species
sativa
Cultivar
Coastal Star
Type
Full-size tall upright green romaine
Cycle
Biennial grown as an annual
Organic ‘Coastal Star’ green romaine lettuce (Lactuca sativa ‘Coastal Star’) is a full-size romaine known for very upright habit, dark-green colour, and large heavy heads. Glossy blistered wrapper leaves remain raised above soil while interior foliage surrounds a pale tender well-blanched heart. The head fills densely without becoming iceberg. Long crisp ribs, mild flavour, and good holding quality suit Caesar salad, sandwiches, wraps, grilling, and baby-leaf harvest.
Direct-sow as soon as soil can be worked or start plants three to four weeks before transplanting. Barely cover seed and keep cool. Space plants 25–30 cm apart in rows 38–45 cm apart so large heads develop and air circulates. Choose loose fertile soil enriched with mature compost, moisture-retentive, and well drained. Grow in sun during cool seasons; despite heat tolerance, light afternoon shade and steady watering preserve tenderness in summer.
Johnny’s lists approximately 57 days after cool-season transplanting while West Coast Seeds gives approximately 65 days; baby leaves may be cut around 28 days. Harvest once the head is tall heavy and well filled before the central stem elongates. Cornell documents resistance to corky root rot and lettuce mosaic virus plus heat tolerance. These traits are not immunity. Rotate crops, ensure drainage, avoid splashing, and remove severely affected plants.
Planting guide
From planting to establishment.
Planting depth
Barely covered, approximately 0.3 to 0.5 cm (1/8 to 1/4 in)
Spacing / density
Thin to approximately 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 in), with 30 to 45 cm (12 to 18 in) between rows
Establishment temperature
Approximately 10 to 20°C (50 to 68°F); germination drops sharply in hot soil
Establishment time
Approximately 7 to 10 days
Best planting time
Early spring as soon as soil can be worked, then late summer for an autumn crop
Propagation
Direct sowing or indoor sowing three to four weeks before transplanting
Growing method
Sow on fine moist soil and cover only 0.3–0.5 cm. Keep cool until emergence. Thin or transplant to 25–30 cm with 38–45 cm between rows so large heads remain well aired. Harden three- to four-week-old transplants without burying the crown. Water immediately, maintain continuous growth, and make small batches every two or three weeks. Provide light afternoon shade during very warm periods.
Soil and care
The right conditions.
Exposure
Full sun to light partial shade
Soil pH
Approximately 6.0 to 6.8
Minimum temperature
-2°C (28°F)
Watering
Keep the surface consistently moist during germination with a very gentle stream so barely covered seeds are not displaced. Once established, water deeply as soon as the top one or two centimetres begin to dry. Shallow roots poorly tolerate cycles of drought and excess water; this stress encourages bitterness, tipburn, and bolting. Water early in the morning at soil level or by drip, avoid splashing soil onto leaves, and apply light mulch after thinning. Check containers daily in hot or windy weather.
Soil type
Prepare loose fine fertile soil enriched with mature compost, able to retain steady moisture without becoming waterlogged. Shallow lettuce roots need an aerated zone; crusted compact or very sandy soil quickly slows growth and makes leaves more bitter. Aim for approximately pH 6.0–7.0. Incorporate organic matter before sowing rather than placing fresh manure near leaves. Improve drainage in heavy soil, avoid beds recently occupied by diseased lettuce, and rotate with unrelated crops.
Fertilization
Incorporate mature compost before sowing and correct fertility according to a soil test or label directions. Lettuce requires moderate steady nutrition; one light balanced feed at planting is generally sufficient in fertile soil. If foliage pales after thinning, side-dress one small nitrogen dose and water. Avoid heavy or late applications that create soft tissue, increase some disorders, and make harvested produce harder to cool. Never apply granular fertilizer onto leaves and stop feeding shortly before whole-rosette harvest.
Seasonal care
In spring, sow small amounts every two or three weeks and protect seedlings from slugs through regular inspection and a clean garden. Thin early for airflow. In summer, use light shade cloth during very hot afternoons, maintain uninterrupted watering, and harvest before bolting. In fall, resume sowing as nights cool and protect from first frost with row cover. Promptly remove severely diseased plants and rotate with unrelated crops.
Container growing
A controlled environment.
Recommended pot size
At least 25 to 30 cm (10 to 12 in) deep and approximately 5 to 7 L per plant
Use a container at least 20–25 cm deep with numerous holes and allow approximately 25–30 cm diameter per mature rosette. A wide box may also hold one denser baby-leaf strip. Fill with light fertile well-drained mix, place in sun during spring, then light partial shade during strong heat. Water as soon as the surface begins to dry and never leave standing water in the saucer. Pick outer leaves regularly or cut the entire rosette at maturity.
Bloom and dimensions
The complete profile.
Flower color
Yellow
Foliage color
Green to blue-green
Foliage type
Broad blue-green leaves borne on long petioles
Growth rate
Rapid under cool conditions
Bloom period
Yellow flowers in the second year if the plant overwinters and bolts
Harvest
For baby leaves, cut at approximately 28 days and 8–12 cm while leaving the centre to regrow. For whole heads, begin checking around 55 days and generally harvest in 57–65 days once tall heavy dense and still tender. Cut at soil level early in the morning, retain a few intact wrapper leaves, and chill immediately. Wash only before use and refrigerate in a perforated bag. Harvest promptly if the centre elongates, the head loosens, or flavour becomes more bitter.
Garden associations
What to plant with it.
Good companions
Beetroot, spinach, radish
Avoid planting with
Parsley, celery
Raw sticks, salads, slaws, sautés, roasts, soups, and cooked young leaves
From the garden to inspiration.
‘Coastal Star’ Caesar salad — Thoroughly wash 400 g sound leaves, dry, and tear. Whisk 30 ml oil, 15 ml lemon juice, 10 ml plain yogurt, 5 ml mustard, one small garlic clove, and pepper. Toss immediately before serving, then add croutons and Parmesan. Keep lettuce cold until the meal and refrigerate leftovers within two hours. Discard every slimy, mouldy, or abnormal-smelling leaf.
Frequently asked questions
Everything toknow.
Johnny’s calculates 57 days from cool-season transplanting while West Coast Seeds lists 65 days for its commercial reference. Direct seeding, temperature, day length, and desired size change timing. Begin checking around 55 days instead of waiting for one rigid date. A tall heavy dense head is ready; harvest earlier if heat causes centre elongation.
Cornell lists resistance to corky root rot and lettuce mosaic virus. West Coast Seeds also describes strong corky root resistance while some catalogues use code IR:Rs. Resistance is not immunity and does not automatically cover downy mildew, Fusarium, or other problems. Improve drainage, rotate crops, provide airflow, and promptly remove severely affected plants.
Sow early in the morning into pre-moistened soil and lightly shade the bed until emergence. Lettuce seed needs light and germinates poorly when buried deeply or when soil remains very warm. Cover only a few millimetres, keep the surface moist with fine watering, and move containers into a cooler place. Seed may also be started indoors in a cool room, then seedlings gradually hardened before transplanting.
Yes. Use a well-drained pot or box at least 20–25 cm deep and allow approximately 25–30 cm per mature rosette. Rich but light mix limits waterlogging and remains easy to irrigate. Place in sun during cool weather, then light partial shade during strong heat. Check moisture daily because shallow roots dry quickly. Pick outer leaves regularly and remove every bolting plant to make room for a new sowing.
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