Growli

Pruning guide

How to prune little gem lettuce

Best time
Harvest whole heads at 8–12 weeks from sowing; pick outer leaves earlier for cut-and-come-again
How often
As needed; harvest-driven
Technique
Cut the entire head at ground level when hearts feel firm, or remove individual outer leaves from the base upward, leaving the central rosette to continue growing. Discard any leaves showing signs of tip burn or rot.

More little gem lettuce care

Pruning little gem lettuce — FAQ

When should I prune little gem lettuce?

Harvest whole heads at 8–12 weeks from sowing; pick outer leaves earlier for cut-and-come-again. Cut the entire head at ground level when hearts feel firm, or remove individual outer leaves from the base upward, leaving the central rosette to continue growing. Discard any leaves showing signs of tip burn or rot.

How often does little gem lettuce need pruning?

As needed; harvest-driven. Little Gem does not require pruning. It is a compact, fast-maturing cos-type that is harvested whole or as cut-and-come-again. Remove yellowing outer leaves to maintain airflow and reduce disease. In warm spells, harvest promptly before bolting causes bitterness — there is no pruning intervention that prevents bolting.

How do you prune little gem lettuce?

Cut the entire head at ground level when hearts feel firm, or remove individual outer leaves from the base upward, leaving the central rosette to continue growing. Discard any leaves showing signs of tip burn or rot.