Corn salad
Valerianella locusta · Caprifoliaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant corn salad: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous, tender and edible
- Flowering
- Spring (April-May), discreet white or pink flowers
- Adult size
- 15 to 25 cm in height
- Growth
- Fast, harvest in 6 to 8 weeks
- Hardiness
- Very hardy, withstands cold down to -10 °C
- Origin
- Southern Europe and Mediterranean basin
- Soil type
- Light, well-drained, fertile
- Use
- Vegetable crop, winter and spring salad
Care
Watering
Keep the soil regularly moist without waterlogging it. Water lightly and frequently, especially during dry or hot periods. Corn salad appreciates consistent moisture to develop tender and crispy leaves. Reduce watering in winter if the plant is grown under cover.
Exposure
Prefer a location in full sun or partial shade. Corn salad tolerates partial shade well, particularly in summer where it can become less bitter. In winter and spring, bright exposure promotes growth and leaf quality.
Soil and preparation
Prepare light soil, rich in organic matter and well-drained. Incorporate compost or potting soil before sowing to improve structure and fertility. A neutral to slightly alkaline pH is ideal. Avoid compacted soils that would slow growth.
Fertilizer
A moderate application of balanced fertilizer at sowing time is generally sufficient if the soil has been well prepared. If slow growth is observed, diluted nitrogen fertilizer can boost foliage. Favor organic inputs in line with rapid growth and short cultivation period.
Harvest and cutting
Corn salad doesn't require traditional pruning. Harvest leaves 6 to 8 weeks after sowing, depending on varieties, by cutting at ground level or removing outer leaves. Harvest in dry weather and early morning for better storage and tenderness.
Diseases and pests
Corn salad is generally little susceptible to diseases. In prolonged humid conditions, watch for rot or mildew: space out waterings and aerate regularly. Aphids may occasionally be present; a water rinse is generally sufficient. Avoid over-nitrogenous fertilizers that favor pests.
Did you know?
Corn salad is a traditional autumn and winter crop in France for several centuries, nicknamed "doucette" or "blanchette" depending on the region. In the Middle Ages, it was already appreciated for its ability to provide fresh green vegetables during the winter period, long before modern greenhouse cultivation. Its old scientific name, Valeriana, highlights its belonging to the Valerianaceae family, although taxonomy has recently relocated it to the Caprifoliaceae.
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
- HoneysuckleLonicera periclymenum
- Small scabiousScabiosa columbaria
- Red valerianCentranthus ruber
- Japanese honeysuckleLonicera japonica
- Himalayan honeysuckleLeycesteria formosa
- Involucred honeysuckleLonicera involucrata
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.