Bolting in Lettuce
Lettuce is one of the fastest and easiest vegetables to grow, perfect for beginners. Bolting is when a plant prematurely produces a flower stalk and goes to seed, usually triggered by heat or day length. It makes herbs and leafy vegetables bitter and unusable.
Lettuce care requirements
These care conditions are most relevant to bolting in Lettuce. Check each one as a potential cause.
Symptoms to look for in Lettuce
- fiber_manual_recordTall central flower stalk appearing suddenly
- fiber_manual_recordLeaves becoming smaller and more pointed
- fiber_manual_recordBitter or tough flavour in leaves or stems
- fiber_manual_recordPlant putting energy into flowers rather than foliage
Common causes in Lettuce
- fiber_manual_recordExposure to high temperatures above the plant's optimal range
- fiber_manual_recordLong days triggering photoperiod-sensitive plants
- fiber_manual_recordWater stress signalling the plant to reproduce
- fiber_manual_recordTransplant shock
- fiber_manual_recordCold snap followed by warmth (vernalisation)
How to diagnose bolting in Lettuce
If a herb or leafy vegetable suddenly sends up a tall central stem with small leaves and flowers, it has bolted. The remaining leaves will taste bitter.
How to treat bolting in Lettuce
Once bolted, the plant cannot be reversed. Harvest any remaining usable leaves immediately. For some plants (basil, coriander), pinching off the flower stalk early can slow bolting and extend the harvest slightly.
Preventing bolting in Lettuce
Grow bolt-resistant varieties. Sow at the right time of year to avoid heat stress. Keep soil consistently moist. Provide partial shade during the hottest part of summer. Harvest regularly to slow the plant's reproductive cycle.