Botanical Interests, Inc. - Ice Queen (Reine des Glaces) Crisphead Lettuce Seeds

Ice Queen' dates back to 1883, and gets its name because it is cold tolerant, but also tolerates heat well and is slow to bolt. Also considered a summer crisp or Batavia, this bright, emerald green lettuce with frilly leaves has crisp texture and excellent fresh flavor. Also delicious as a baby green in as little as 21 days. You can harvest the outer, frilly leaves while waiting for the head to form.

Days to Maturity: 21-62 days

Family: Asteraceae

Type: Crisphead Lettuce 

Native: Unknown; lettuce has been in cultivation for a long time.

Hardiness: Frost-tolerant annual

Exposure: Full sun to part shade

Plant Dimensions: 6"–10" tall and 8" wide

Variety Info: Small, emerald-green center head surrounded by outer leaves with jagged, spikey edges (resembles a crown surrounding the center head). 'Ice Queen' is a crisphead type lettuce with a more open habit than traditional iceberg and is also considered a summer crisp type.

Attributes: Good for Containers, Heat Tolerant, Frost Tolerant

When to Sow Outside: RECOMMENDED. 2 to 4 weeks before your average last frost date, and when soil temperature is at least 40°F, ideally 60°–70°F. Successive Sowings: Every 3 weeks until 4 to 6 weeks before your average first fall frost date. Mild Climates: Sow in fall and winter for cool season harvests.

When to Start Inside: 4 to 6 weeks before your average last frost date, and in summer when soil temperatures are too warm (above 80°F) to germinate lettuce seed.

Days to Emerge: 5–10 days

Seed Depth: Surface to ⅛"

Seed Spacing: A group of 3 seeds every 8"

Row Spacing: 10"

Thinning: When ½" tall, thin to 1 every 8"

Harvesting: Harvest in the morning, by cutting off at ground level. If regrowth is desired, cut the leaves higher, at 2". For a continual supply, outer, individual leaves can be harvested at any stage of maturity, but leave at least half of the plant for regrowth.