Overwintering guide
How to overwinter iceberg lettuce
Winter watering
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
The mistake that kills iceberg lettuce in winter
Cutting iceberg lettuce hard back in autumn "to tidy up". That removes the growth that shelters the crown, and on some plants removes next season's flower buds entirely.
More iceberg lettuce care
- Overwintering lettuce — the species this cultivar belongs to
- Overwintering iceberg lettuce — our other guide for the same plant
- Full iceberg lettuce care guide
- Iceberg Lettuce temperature range
- How often to water iceberg lettuce
- How to prune iceberg lettuce
- Common iceberg lettuce problems & fixes
- Best plant identifier apps — tested and ranked
Overwintering iceberg lettuce — FAQ
Does iceberg lettuce need to come indoors for winter?
Iceberg Lettuce is hardy to roughly USDA zone 2 — winter lows around -46°C. That means it can stay outside all winter in most temperate gardens. Iceberg Lettuce is properly hardy and overwinters outside without fuss. Tidy away anything dead or diseased, apply a mulch over the crown to steady soil temperatures, and otherwise leave it alone — many hardy plants actually need a cold period to flower and grow well the following year. Save hard pruning for the right season rather than doing it in autumn.
When should I move iceberg lettuce for winter?
Tidy and mulch in late autumn; leave the plant undisturbed until spring.
How often should I water iceberg lettuce in winter?
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
What kills iceberg lettuce over winter?
Cutting iceberg lettuce hard back in autumn "to tidy up". That removes the growth that shelters the crown, and on some plants removes next season's flower buds entirely.