A healthy Green Leaf lettuce with frilly bright-green ruffled leaves in a sunny garden

How to Grow Green Leaf Lettuce From Seed

By Maxim Kaufman — Founder & CEO, Organo Republic

Updated July 2026

Green Leaf is a fast, frilly bright-green loose-leaf lettuce of the Grand Rapids or Black Seeded Simpson type, and it is about as easy as lettuce gets. It germinates quickly, grows fast, and is endlessly productive when picked leaf by leaf, making it the everyday salad and sandwich lettuce. Here is what makes this variety special and how to get the best from it.

Ready to grow your own? Shop Lettuce Simpson Green Leaf Seeds from Organo Republic.

This is the quick guide to Green Leaf. For the full step-by-step on starting seeds, sowing, feeding, and troubleshooting lettuce, see our complete guide to growing lettuce from seed.

Quick start

Sow seed about an eighth of an inch deep, barely covered, since lettuce needs light to sprout. Thin plants to 4 to 8 inches apart as a loose-leaf type. Green Leaf is fast, ready for cutting in about 45 days, with outer leaves pickable sooner. Harvest cut-and-come-again, snipping outer leaves and leaving the crown to keep producing.

Best tip

Green Leaf is a fast, frilly bright-green loose-leaf lettuce of the Grand Rapids or Black Seeded Simpson type, and it is about as easy as lettuce gets. It germinates quickly, grows fast, and is perfect for cut-and-come-again picking. Sow it shallow, keep the soil evenly moist, and start harvesting outer leaves in as little as a month. In heat it can bolt, so grow it in cool seasons and give afternoon shade.

At a glance

Botanical nameLactuca sativa

Plant typeCool-season annual (loose-leaf)

USDA zones2 to 11 (grown as an annual)

SunFull sun to part shade

Days to maturityAbout 45 days

Height8 to 12 inches

Spacing4 to 8 inches apart

WaterEven and steady; keep moist

Uses

Green Leaf lettuce gives you frilly, bright-green, ruffled leaves with a mild, fresh flavor and light crunch. It is the everyday salad and sandwich lettuce, fast to grow and endlessly productive when picked leaf by leaf. Its ruffled edges add nice volume and texture to mixed salads and make an attractive bed for other dishes.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Green Leaf lettuce take to grow?

Green Leaf is one of the fastest lettuces, ready to cut in about 45 days, with baby leaves pickable even earlier. It is a great choice for a quick, productive salad supply.

What type of lettuce is Green Leaf?

It is a frilly, bright-green loose-leaf lettuce of the Grand Rapids or Black Seeded Simpson type, known for fast growth, ruffled leaves, and reliable cut-and-come-again harvests.

Does Green Leaf lettuce bolt in heat?

Like most fast loose-leaf types it can bolt once it gets hot. Grow it in the cool of spring and fall, keep it evenly moist, and give afternoon shade in summer to keep the leaves sweet and tender.

How do I keep Green Leaf lettuce producing?

Harvest cut-and-come-again by snipping outer leaves an inch above the crown and leaving the center to grow. Picked this way, one planting keeps producing fresh leaves for weeks.

Ready to grow your own? Green Leaf is one of the varieties in our lettuce and salad greens pack, so you can grow fast frilly leaves alongside a whole salad garden. For the full step-by-step, see our complete lettuce growing guide linked at the top of this page.

Sale

Black Seeded Simpson Lettuce Seeds – Non-GMO HeirloomHeirloom, non-GMOHeirloom Green Leaf (Simpson) — fast, frilly loose-leaf classic.

Price$4.99Starting at$3.99

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Want more lettuce? These value packs pair Green Leaf with other varieties:

Sale

Lettuce & Greens Seeds Variety Pack – Non-GMO Heirloom22 lettuce & greensAn even bigger salad collection — 22 lettuces and greens for months of fresh leaves in every color and texture.

Price$12.99Starting at$9.99

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By Maxim Kaufman — Founder & CEO, Organo Republic

Maxim founded Organo Republic in 2017 and personally selects, tests, and grows the heirloom, non-GMO varieties the company offers. Under his leadership, Organo Republic was named Agri Business Review’s Top Non-GMO Seed Variety Solution 2026.