Lactuca perennis
Lactuca perennis · Asteraceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant lactuca perennis: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- June to August, sky blue flowers
- Adult size
- 60–100 cm tall, 30–40 cm wide
- Growth
- Moderate
- Hardiness
- Very hardy, down to −20 °C
- Origin
- Central and southern Europe
- Soil type
- Well-drained, tolerates chalky soil
Care
Exposure
Plant your perennial lettuce in full sun or partial shade for optimal flowering. It appreciates bright locations, which promote branching and abundant blooms.
Watering
Water moderately during the growing season, allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings. In winter, reduce watering. Avoid standing water that could rot the crown.
Soil
Well-drained soil is essential for this hardy plant. It tolerates chalky and poor soils. Improve drainage with sand or gravel if your soil is too heavy or clay-based.
Pruning and tidying
Remove faded flowers to extend flowering. In late autumn, cut back dry stems to ground level. The plant will regrow vigorously in spring thanks to its taproot.
Fertilizer
Very undemanding, it only needs a light feed in spring. Well-decomposed compost or balanced fertilizer is sufficient. Avoid excess nitrogen, which promotes foliage at the expense of flowering.
Diseases and pests
Generally robust and rarely affected by pests. Watch for powdery mildew in warm, humid conditions. Good drainage and air circulation will prevent most fungal problems.
Did you know?
Perennial lettuce was cultivated as early as ancient times in the Mediterranean, not for its bitter leaves but for its essence and medicinal properties recognized by herbalists. Its sky blue flowers are remarkably similar to those of the cornflower, making it elegant in naturalistic or modern wild gardens.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- SunflowerHelianthus annuus
- YarrowAchillea millefolium
- Ox-eye daisyLeucanthemum vulgare
- SneezewortAchillea ptarmica
- Canadian goldenrodSolidago canadensis
- WormwoodArtemisia absinthium
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.