Lactuca sativa Arctic King
lettuce [Arctic King]
This cultivar has been bred for autumn sowing and has exceptional cold resistance so is a great option for overwintering. The light green leaves are slightly crinkled, smooth and crunchy. Sow August to October, harvest March to May.
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
1 yearUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing or West–facing or North–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H3Botanical details
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Genus
Lactuca can be annuals, biennials, perennials or shrubs, with alternate leaves, milky white sap and daisy-like flowers in white, yellow or blue. The genus includes a wide range of wild plants, as well as species cultivated for their edible leaves (lettuce)
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in full sun in moisture-retentive soil. Soil should be reasonably fertile so you can improve soil by adding organic matter, such as well-rotted manure, in the autumn. Lettuces grow best on soil that is close to neutral so if you have very acidic or alkaline soil you may want to consider raised beds, containers or improving the pH of your soil. Water when the soil is dry and if the winter is particularly harsh a cloche will help with better growth. Harvest from March unttil May. See lettuce cultivation for more information.
Propagation
Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Patio and container plants
- Cottage and informal garden
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to birds, slugs, snails and lettuce root aphid.
Diseases
May be susceptible to grey moulds and lettuce downy mildew. Lettuce mosaic virus can affect overwintering crops.
Get involved
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