It is green mini-romaine forming a small head with numerous crisp leaves and one slim well-blanched yellow heart. ‘Xalbadora’ closes at medium speed rather than remaining fully open or making a very tight head. Natural size permits 15–20 cm spacing and whole-head harvest in one or two servings. It is not merely large romaine cut before maturity.
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Green Xanadu-type mini-romaine
Asteraceae
Semences biologiques de légumes-tiges
Organic ‘Xalbadora’ green mini-romaine lettuce (Lactuca sativa ‘Xalbadora’)
Lactuca sativa ‘Xalbadora’
Organic Xalbadora Mini Romaine Lettuce produces crisp, bright green heads with excellent heat tolerance. Perfect for containers, raised beds, and continuous harvests.
Quantity
Approximately 50 coated seeds
Exposure
Full sun to light partial shade
Difficulty level
Moderate
Discover the plant
Family
Asteraceae
Genus
Lactuca
Species
sativa
Cultivar
Xalbadora
Type
Green Xanadu-type mini-romaine
Cycle
Biennial grown as an annual
Organic ‘Xalbadora’ green mini-romaine lettuce (Lactuca sativa ‘Xalbadora’) is a widely adapted Xanadu-type mini-romaine forming a compact head of glossy well-blistered medium-green leaves. Its slim yellow-green heart naturally blanches as the head closes at a medium-fast rate. The slightly open rosette retains a high leaf count of thick crisp nearly sweet foliage. Size provides one or two servings, presents well whole or in wedges, and suits salads, sandwiches, wraps, and small-space production.
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 sharply in overly warm soil. Space 15–20 cm apart for complete mini heads or wider for heavier heads. Choose loose fertile soil enriched with mature compost, moisture-retentive, and well drained. Grow in sun during cool weather; light afternoon shade and regular watering maintain quality through summer.
Osborne lists approximately 45 days; other commercial sources give 45–55 days according to production method. Harvest once the heart is well filled yellow-green and still tender before stem elongation. Enza Zaden documents high resistance to downy mildew races 29–36 and 38–41 EU, lettuce aphid Nasonovia ribisnigri biotype 0, and TBSV, plus intermediate resistance to lettuce mosaic virus race 1. These levels are not immunity.
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
Éclaircir à environ 10 à 15 cm (4 à 6 po), avec 30 à 45 cm (12 à 18 po) entre les rangs
Establishment temperature
Approximately 10 to 20°C (50 to 68°F); germination drops sharply in hot soil
Establishment time
Environ 7 à 10 jours
Best planting time
Early spring as soon as soil can be worked, then late summer for an autumn crop
Propagation
Propagated by seed, either direct sown in the garden or started in containers. Seeds remain viable for several years when stored in a cool, dry location.
Growing method
Sow on fine moist soil and cover only 0.3–0.5 cm. Keep cool until emergence. Thin or transplant to 15–20 cm for complete mini heads; closer culture suits only baby leaves. Harden plants started three to four weeks earlier without burying the crown. Water immediately, maintain continuous growth, and make small batches every two or three weeks. Provide light afternoon shade during warm periods.
Soil and care
The right conditions.
Exposure
Full sun to light partial shade
Soil pH
Slightly acidic to neutral
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 compost before sowing to provide essential nutrients for vigorous growth. In poor soils, a light application of organic fertilizer may be used to support leafy development.
Seasonal care
Make successive sowings to extend harvests from spring through late summer. Water regularly to keep the soil cool and reduce the risk of bolting. Weed lightly around the plants to minimize competition. Harvest leaves or entire heads as needed. Apply a light mulch during hot weather to conserve soil moisture.
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
Pale yellow
Foliage color
Bright green
Foliage type
Deciduous
Growth rate
Fast
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, radish
Avoid planting with
Parsley, celery
Raw sticks, salads, slaws, sautés, roasts, soups, and cooked young leaves
From the garden to inspiration.
Lemon ‘Xalbadora’ mini-romaine — Wash two sound mini heads, drain, and halve lengthwise while retaining the heart. Whisk 30 ml oil, 15 ml lemon juice, 5 ml mustard, pepper, and herbs. Spoon over immediately before serving and add sliced cucumber. 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.
Harvest usually begins about 48 days after sowing. Young leaves can be picked even earlier for fresh salad mixes.
Yes. Its compact habit makes it ideal for pots, planters, balconies, and small urban gardens, where it performs exceptionally well.
Yes. It grows very well in partial shade during hot summer weather, helping preserve leaf quality and slow bolting.
Yes. Harvest the outer leaves regularly while allowing the center to continue growing for an extended harvest period.
Its strengths, naturally.
Plants that attract butterflies
Butterflies
