Description

'Little Gem' romaine, also known as 'Sucrine' or 'Sugar Cos,' is an heirloom variety prized for its sweet, succulent flavor and petite size. Reaching only 6″ tall and 4″ wide, this lettuce is ideal for individual salads and recipes that call for “hearts of romaine.” The glossy, tightly-wrapped green leaves encase a creamy-yellow heart, offering a crisp texture and nutty sweetness that's perfect for fresh meals. Easy to grow, 'Little Gem' thrives in both cooler and mild climates, producing high-quality, tender heads in just 20–68 days.

This packet sows up to 114 feet. 690 seeds.

Variety Info:

Botanical Name: Lactuca sativa
Days to Maturity: 20 – 68 days
Family: Asteraceae
Native: UnUnknown; lettuce has been in cultivation for a long time.
Hardiness: Frost-tolerant annual
Plant Dimensions: 6″ tall, 4″ wide
Variety Information: Glossy, tightly-wrapped, upright, green leaves with a pale, creamy-yellow heart. Crisp texture with sweet, nutty flavor.

Sowing Info:

When to Sow Outside: RECOMMENDED. 2 to 4 weeks before your average last frost date, and when soil temperature is at least 40°F, ideally 60°–70°F. Successive Sowings: Every 3 weeks until 4 to 6 weeks before your average first fall frost date. Mild Climates: Sow in fall and winter for cool season harvests.
When to Start Inside: 4 to 6 weeks before your average last frost date, and in summer when soil temperatures are too warm (above 80°F) to germinate lettuce seed.
Days to Emerge: 5–10 days
Seed Depth: Surface to 1/8″
Seed Spacing: A group of 3 seeds every 6″
Row Spacing: 6″
Thinning: When ½” tall, thin to 1 every 6″

Growing Info:

Harvesting: Harvest in the morning, by cutting off at ground level. If regrowth is desired, cut the leaves higher, at 2″. For a continual supply, outer, individual leaves can be harvested at any stage of maturity, but leave at least half of the plant for regrowth.