Pruning guide
How to prune iceberg lettuce
More iceberg lettuce care
- How to prune lettuce — the species this cultivar belongs to
- How to prune iceberg lettuce — our other guide for the same plant
- Full iceberg lettuce care guide
- Common iceberg lettuce problems & fixes
- How to propagate iceberg lettuce
- When to repot iceberg lettuce
Pruning iceberg lettuce — FAQ
When should I prune iceberg lettuce?
Harvest the full head when firm (typically 70–85 days after sowing); remove dead leaves as needed. Cut the mature head off cleanly at soil level with a sharp knife. Strip away loose, damaged outer leaves before or after harvest. Do not attempt to prune for regrowth — the plant will not re-head.
How often does iceberg lettuce need pruning?
One-time harvest; remove damaged leaves as needed during growth. Iceberg lettuce is grown as a heading crop and does not benefit from ongoing pruning. Remove any damaged or yellowing outer wrapper leaves as needed. Once the head is firm and dense, harvest the whole plant by cutting at soil level. There is no meaningful cut-and-come-again regrowth with heading types.
How do you prune iceberg lettuce?
Cut the mature head off cleanly at soil level with a sharp knife. Strip away loose, damaged outer leaves before or after harvest. Do not attempt to prune for regrowth — the plant will not re-head.