Description
Red Barba dei Frati Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is an attractive Italian lettuce variety known for its long, narrow, deeply lobed leaves with beautiful reddish-bronze colouring. This vigorous, fast-growing lettuce produces loose, upright heads with a crisp texture and a mild, slightly sweet flavour.
Perfect for fresh salads, sandwiches, wraps and mixed salad bowls, Red Barba dei Frati Lettuce is especially valued for its ability to regrow after cutting, allowing multiple harvests from the same plant. Its colourful foliage also makes it an attractive addition to vegetable gardens.
🌱 Growing Instructions
☀️ Sunlight: Prefers 4–6 hours of sunlight daily. Benefits from partial afternoon shade during Malta’s warmer months.
💧 Watering: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Regular watering helps maintain tender, crisp leaves.
🌱 Soil: Plant in fertile, well-draining soil enriched with compost or organic matter.
🌡️ Temperature: Grows best between 10°C–22°C. Offers some resistance to premature flowering but benefits from protection against extreme summer heat.
📏 Spacing: Allow approximately 20–25 cm between plants for healthy growth and good air circulation.
🌾 Fertilizer: Apply a balanced vegetable fertilizer every 2–3 weeks during active growth, following product instructions.
✂️ Harvesting: Harvest individual outer leaves as needed or cut the entire head when mature, typically 30–45 days after transplanting in favourable conditions. Leave the growing centre intact to encourage regrowth and additional harvests.
🌿 Local Growing Tips (Malta)
Best planting season: September to April, when temperatures are cooler and more suitable for leafy vegetable growth.
Position: Sunny vegetable gardens, raised beds or containers. Provide afternoon shade during warmer periods.
Companion plants: Carrots, radishes, onions and spring onions.
Common issue: Excessive heat and irregular watering can cause premature flowering (bolting) and bitter leaves. Maintain consistent soil moisture and provide shade during hot weather.
📦 Product Information
Variety: Barba dei Frati Rossa (Red Barba dei Frati Lettuce)
Botanical Name: Lactuca sativa
Plant Type: Leafy Vegetable Seedling
Quantity: 12 Seedlings per Tray
Maturity: Approximately 30–45 days after transplanting in favourable conditions; longer during cooler winter weather
Harvest Season: Autumn to Spring
Special Characteristics: Attractive reddish-green leaves, fast growth and excellent regrowth after cutting for multiple harvests.
Important Information
Pictures shown may vary from actual product due to the live nature of the items. Some items may be out of stock for various reasons, we will issue a refund or offer alternatives should that be the case.
The price is per one tray of 12 seedlings.
