This variety stands out for its dark red decorative foliage, crisp texture, and excellent productivity. It brings outstanding color and diversity to the vegetable garden.
Sale
Sold out
Vegetable
Asteraceae
Organic stem vegetable seeds
Organic ‘Truchas’ red mini-romaine lettuce (Lactuca sativa ‘Truchas’)
Lactuca sativa ‘Truchas’
Organic Truchas Mini Romaine Lettuce produces compact dark red heads with crisp leaves. Ideal for colorful salads, succession planting, and decorative vegetable gardens.
Quantity
About 50 coated seeds
Exposure
Full sun to light partial shade
Difficulty level
Easy
Discover the plant
Family
Asteraceae
Genus
Lactuca
Species
sativa
Cultivar
Truchas
Type
Vegetable
Cycle
Biennial grown as an annual
Organic ‘Truchas’ red mini-romaine lettuce (Lactuca sativa ‘Truchas’) is a compact Little Gem type combining dark cherry-red outer leaves with a bright-green heart. The small upright head remains dense, well proportioned, and easy to serve whole or in wedges. Thick crisp leaves have tender ribs and mild flavour. Contrasting colour adds ornamental value to the garden and pairs especially well with green mini-romaine in salads, sandwiches, wraps, and fresh platters.
Direct-sow as soon as soil can be worked or start plants three to four weeks before transplanting. Barely cover seed and keep cool because germination drops in overly warm soil. Space plants 15–20 cm apart for complete mini heads or sow more densely for baby leaves. Choose loose fertile soil enriched with mature compost, moisture-retentive, and well drained. Grow in sun during cool weather; light afternoon shade and steady watering preserve quality through summer.
Seed catalogues generally list approximately 45 days to maturity. Harvest once the mini head is firm compact and well coloured before the heart begins elongating. Enza Zaden documents high resistance to Bremia lactucae downy mildew races 29–41 EU and 7–10 US plus lettuce necrotic stunt caused by TBSV, and intermediate resistance to lettuce mosaic virus race 1. These levels are not immunity; maintain rotation, airflow, and hygiene.
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
10 to 20 °C (50 to 68 °F)
Establishment time
Approximately 7 to 10 days
Best planting time
April to August
Propagation
Direct sowing or indoor sowing three to four weeks before transplanting
Growing method
Direct sow outdoors or in containers from April through August for continuous harvests. Cover the seeds lightly and keep the soil consistently moist until germination. Grow in full sun during spring and provide partial shade during the hottest part of summer. Thin seedlings to encourage uniform growth and healthy heads. Maintain rich, cool, well-drained soil throughout the season. Harvest outer leaves as needed or cut the entire head once mature.
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
Rich, cool, well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter. Fertile soil encourages vigorous growth and intense foliage color.
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
Make successive sowings from spring through late summer for continuous harvests. Water regularly to keep the soil cool and reduce bolting. Weed lightly around the plants to minimize competition. Harvest outer leaves as needed or entire heads once mature. Apply a light mulch during hot weather to conserve soil moisture.
Container growing
A controlled environment.
Recommended pot size
20 to 25 cm (8 to 10 in)
Truchas Mini Romaine Lettuce grows easily in pots, window boxes, and raised planters thanks to its compact, uniform habit. A container filled with rich, moisture-retentive growing mix produces beautiful, colorful heads even in small spaces. This variety is especially well suited to balconies and patios, combining ornamental beauty with abundant harvests.
Bloom and dimensions
The complete profile.
Flower color
Pale yellow
Foliage color
Dark red
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
Begin checking at approximately 40 days and generally harvest around 45 days once the mini head is full firm compact and well coloured. Cut at soil level early in the morning with a clean knife, retain a few intact wrapper leaves, and chill immediately. For progressive harvest, take only one or two outer leaves and leave the heart. Wash just before use and refrigerate in a perforated bag. Harvest promptly if the centre elongates, the head loosens, or flavour becomes bitter.
Garden associations
What to plant with it.
Good companions
Beetroot, spinach
Avoid planting with
Parsley, celery
Salads, baby greens, container gardening, edible landscapes
From the garden to inspiration.
The crisp leaves of Truchas Lettuce are excellent in fresh salads, baby green mixes, and garnishes. Their deep red color creates attractive presentations while their mild flavor complements a wide range of dishes. Young leaves can also be harvested for everyday meals.
Frequently asked questions
Everything toknow.
Harvest usually begins about 52 days after sowing. Young leaves may also be picked earlier for fresh salad mixes.
Yes. Its compact size makes it an excellent choice for containers, balconies, patios, and small-space gardens.
Yes. Partial shade during hot summer weather helps slow bolting and maintain tender, high-quality leaves.
Yes. This variety is offered as certified organic seed, making it an excellent choice for environmentally conscious gardeners.
Its strengths, naturally.
Plants that attract butterflies
Butterflies
