About

Lactuca sativa 'Habanera'PBR is a cultivated lettuce in the family Asteraceae grown for its edible foliage. It is a named cultivar of the genus Lactuca used primarily as a salad leaf. Plants will produce flowers in the UK between June and August. Harvest is taken from the leaves rather than any ornamental feature.

About the genus

Lactuca, commonly known as lettuce, is a genus of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae. The genus includes at 117 recognized species, distributed worldwide, but mainly in temperate Eurasia.

Wikipedia contributors, "Lactuca", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Lactuca

In the garden

Lactuca sativa 'Habanera'PBR is a named cultivar of lettuce (genus Lactuca, family Asteraceae) selected for its edible leaves. As with other lettuces, this is a foliage crop rather than an ornamental; the plant's value to the gardener comes from successive pickings of leaves for salads and sandwiches. In the UK, flowering occurs from June to August, which marks the transition from leaf production to seed set. Sow seed in free-draining, fertile soil and keep the surface consistently moist while seedlings establish. Provide a sunny or lightly shaded spot and thin seedlings to avoid overcrowding so air can move between plants; that reduces disease pressure. Carry out succession sowings at short intervals through the main growing season to maintain a steady supply of young leaves. Protect young plants from slugs and birds, and consider using modules or cloches to get an early start. This cultivar suits vegetable beds, salad borders and containers where leaves can be harvested steadily. Pick outer leaves regularly or use cut-and-come-again harvesting to prolong production; once plants begin to flower between June and August the leaves typically become bitter and quality declines, so clear or replace bolting plants promptly.

From the Fenn Plants journal

• Notes on DaffodilsWhen to plant daffodil bulbs in the UK, how deep, how to naturalise them in grass, why daffodils stop flowering (“blindness”), and why you should never mix cut daffodils with other flowers.
• Keeping Your NerveHow to garden through a heatwave — the best time to water, why deep soaks beat daily sprinkles, caring for pots and vulnerable plants, and why you can let the lawn go brown.
• Made to LastHow to clean, store and protect garden pots and planters — the frost-proof vs frost-resistant difference, winter care for terracotta and ceramic, and how to reuse a broken pot.

More in the Lactuca genus

• 
  Lactuca alpinaalpine sow-thistle, alpine blue-sow-thistle
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  Lactuca bourgaeiLettuce
• 
  Lactuca plumieriLettuce
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  Lactuca sativa 'Anguilla'
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  Lactuca sativa 'Bastille'PBRlettuce 'Bastille'
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  Lactuca sativa 'Doppler'lettuce 'Doppler'
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  Lactuca sativa 'Kigalie'PBRLettuce
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  Lactuca sativa 'Volare'PBRLettuce