About

A winter-hardy annual/biennial lambs's lettuce, forming compact rosettes of wide, tasty, spoon-shaped leaves.

About the genus

Valerianella are rosette-forming annuals, with tiny, bluish or pinkish flowers clustered in flat heads on multi-branched, upright stems

Growing conditions

SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4

Plant details

Plant typeAnnual Biennial
HabitTufted
FoliageDeciduous
HeightUp to 10 cm
Spread0-0.1 metre
Time to full height1 year
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden

Care notes

CultivationGrow in any moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Protect with cloches or cold frames to improve quality and reliability of autumn and winter crops. To harvest, pull up alternate plants, then pick larger leaves as needed. See vegetable cultivation
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs and snails
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to grey moulds