How Does Lettuce Produce Seeds?

Location

• Lettuce flowers will develop from a central stem in the center of the head or leaf cluster. The flower clusters will be readily visible on leaf lettuce, but you may cut a small opening in the top of head lettuce to encourage the plant to go to seed. Lettuce generally begins flowering toward the end of its season, so outer leaves can be harvested as normal throughout the growing season without affecting flower production.

Harvesting

• Once the flower clusters begin to die and dry up, harvest the seeds. Each individual flower will contain one seed, and they can be removed by gently shaking the flower cluster. Store seeds in a paper bag or other airtight container until you are ready to plant. If saving lettuce seeds, try to plant them as soon as possible; they are not the most viable seeds for storage.

Planting

• Plant lettuce seeds under 1/4 inch of soil in early spring. Water frequently and thin to 6 inches apart once seedlings erupt. Lettuce grows best in cooler weather, and many varieties grow quickly enough for harvest before summer arrives.