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A full head of Hao Shan Red Lettuce with a bowl of salad and Chinese dragon on a white background.
A bowl of Hao Shan Red Lettuce surrounded by colorful leaves on a white background.
Hao Shan Red Lettuce in a colorful pot with golden Chinese dragons on either side on a white background.
Hao Shan Red Lettuce growing in a greenhouse at Baker Creek in Mansfield, Missouri.
A full head of Hao Shan Red Lettuce with a bowl of salad and Chinese dragon on a white background.
A bowl of Hao Shan Red Lettuce surrounded by colorful leaves on a white background.
Hao Shan Red Lettuce in a colorful pot with golden Chinese dragons on either side on a white background.
Hao Shan Red Lettuce growing in a greenhouse at Baker Creek in Mansfield, Missouri.

Lettuce Seeds,
Hao Shan Red

51 ReviewSKU: #LT206
Price
Regular price $4.00
Regular price $0.00 Sale price $4.00
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Min. 100 seeds

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Description

Deep, dark red leaves set this stunning heirloom lettuce apart from others. Hao Shan Red is crisp, juicy, and beautifully mild, with no trace of bitterness. Bred in China and generously shared with us by friends in Japan, it quickly earned a place among our favorites. Heat tolerant and remarkably flavorful, it’s been called “the best lettuce in the cosmos.” A must for lettuce lovers seeking bold color, great taste, and garden resilience.

Plant Details

Botanical Name
Lactuca sativa
Life Cycle
Annual
Sun Requirement
4–8 hr.
Days to Germinate
7–10
Days to Maturity
45–55
Planting Depth
¼ in.
Plant Spacing
8–12 in.
Ideal Temperature
60–80°F
Frost Hardy
Yes

Growing Guide

When to Grow

For a spring crop, sow Hao Shan Red 2 to 4 weeks before your last frost date. For fall, wait until summer's heat has subsided and sow about 4 to 7 weeks before your first predicted frost. Leaves are ready in roughly 45 to 55 days, and in mild-winter climates a late-fall planting can be harvested through the winter.

How to Sow and Plant

  • For spring planting, sow seeds 2-4 weeks before the last frost.
  • Fall sowing should be done once the heat has subsided, about 4-7 weeks before the first predicted frost of the season.
  • You can seed densely for loose leaf varieties and thin to 4 inches per plant; for heading types, space plants about 8-12 inches apart.
  • Sow seeds ¼ inch deep.
  • Ideal germination temperature is 60-80 F.
  • Seeds germinate in 7-10 days.

How to Grow

  • Lettuce is a very easy-to-grow beginner’s crop. It is very hardy and adaptable with one big condition: lettuce hates heat!
  • Make sure to plant in a location with full sun and moist soil.
  • For growers in mild winter climates, it is possible to plant in late fall for a winter harvest. Those in cooler climates can choose bolt resistant varieties and harvest throughout the summer.
  • Lettuce grows great in containers.

PESTS/SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

  • Summer’s heat and drought are the most common enemies of a successful lettuce crop. Try to grow in a shady location or under shade cloth to keep greens cool.
  • Slugs can be an issue with lettuce. Try setting out a shallow pan of beer beneath plants to draw slugs away from the plants.

How to Save Seeds

Lettuce is a self-pollinating annual, making it an easy crop for seed saving.

  • Do not harvest plants. Allow them to send up flower stalks.
  • Once seed heads are dried and have turned a yellowish-tan color, cut the entire stalk and place in a bag.
  • Crush the seeds in the bag and separate the chaff.
  • Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 years.

FAQ

Does Hao Shan Red handle warm weather?

Hao Shan Red is heat tolerant, but summer heat and drought are still the most common enemies of any lettuce crop. Grow it in a shady location or under shade cloth to keep the greens cool.

How deep should I sow Hao Shan Red, and how warm?

Sow 1/4 inch deep. Lettuce germinates best at 60 to 68 F and may go dormant above about 75 F, so for late-summer sowings start the seed in a cool spot or shade the bed. Seeds come up in 7 to 10 days.

Can I grow Hao Shan Red in a container?

Yes, lettuce grows great in containers. Give it full sun and moist soil. The leaves of this heirloom are deep, dark red, crisp, juicy and beautifully mild.

Customer reviews

5 / 5 1 Review
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