Pluksla (groene eikenbladtype)

Lactuca sativa var. crispa

Engels: Leaf Lettuce (Green Oak Leaf)

annualAsteraceaeEetbaar

Pluksla (groene eikenbladtype) (Lactuca sativa var. crispa) is a edible annual from the Asteraceae family that grows up to 30cm tall. This plant thrives in full sun to partial shade and requires low maintenance. Blooms in summer with yellow flowers and attracts bees.

Hoogte

20–30 cm

Breedte

25–30 cm

Zonligging

full sun, partial shade

Waterbehoefte

moderate

Grondsoort

loam, sandy soil

Onderhoud

low maintenance

Bloeitijd

summer

Bloemkleuren

yellow

Ecologische waarde

Trekt bijen aan

Verzorgingskalender

Taak	Jan	Feb	Mrt	Apr	Mei	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Okt	Nov	Dec
🌱Planten
💧Bemesten

Care tips

Planting

Green oak leaf lettuce is a cut-and-come-again salad crop that thrives in cool conditions and tolerates light shade, making it ideal for succession sowing from March through August. Choose a spot in full sun or partial shade—afternoon shade is particularly useful during hot summer months to prevent bolting. The soil should be moisture-retentive but free-draining; loam or sandy soil enriched with garden compost or well-rotted manure dug in a few weeks before sowing is ideal. You can sow directly outdoors from March onwards once the soil temperature reaches around 7°C, or start earlier under cloches or fleece for protection. Sow seeds thinly in shallow drills about 1 cm deep, in rows spaced 30 cm apart. Alternatively, broadcast seed in blocks or wide drills for a more informal harvest. Germination usually takes seven to fourteen days. Once seedlings have two true leaves, thin them to 30 cm apart if you want full heads, or leave them closer (around 10–15 cm) if you plan to harvest as baby leaves. For a continuous supply, sow a short row every two to three weeks from March to August. Summer sowings benefit from a cooler spot or dappled shade to reduce stress. Water the drill before sowing if the soil is dry, then water gently after sowing to settle the seeds. Keep the soil consistently moist during germination. Mulch lightly around young plants with compost to retain moisture and suppress weeds, but keep mulch clear of the leaves to avoid rot.

Pruning

Leaf lettuce does not require pruning in the traditional sense, but regular harvesting is essential to keep the plant productive and prevent it from bolting prematurely. The beauty of green oak leaf varieties is that you can pick individual outer leaves as needed, allowing the central growing point to continue producing fresh foliage over several weeks. Begin harvesting once the leaves are large enough to use—typically when they reach 10–15 cm long, usually four to six weeks after sowing. Use a sharp knife or scissors to cut leaves cleanly about 2–3 cm above the base of the plant, taking the outermost leaves first. Avoid tearing or pulling, which can damage the crown and invite disease. Harvest in the morning when leaves are crisp and full of moisture, and take no more than a third of the foliage at any one time to keep the plant vigorous. If you notice a central stem beginning to elongate and flower buds forming—usually during hot, dry spells or as day length increases in summer—the plant is bolting. Once this happens, leaf quality deteriorates rapidly; they become bitter and tough. At this stage, pull up the entire plant and compost it, then sow a fresh batch. Regular harvesting and consistent watering help delay bolting, but it is inevitable eventually. Deadheading is irrelevant for leaf lettuce grown for salad; if flowering occurs, the crop is past its best. Remove any yellowing or slug-damaged outer leaves promptly to maintain air circulation and reduce the risk of fungal problems such as downy mildew.

Maintenance

Green oak leaf lettuce is a low-maintenance crop, but consistent moisture is critical. Water regularly to keep the soil evenly moist, especially during dry spells; lettuce has shallow roots and wilts quickly if allowed to dry out. In spring and autumn, watering once or twice a week is usually sufficient, but in summer you may need to water daily, particularly on sandy soils. Water at the base of the plants in the morning to reduce the risk of fungal diseases. Feed lightly in April, May, and June with a balanced liquid fertiliser every two to three weeks, or apply a general-purpose granular feed at planting time if your soil is poor. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds late in the season, which encourage soft, sappy growth prone to bolting and slug damage. Well-prepared soil rich in organic matter usually provides enough nutrients for this fast-growing crop. Slugs and snails are the primary pests; they can devastate young seedlings overnight. Use beer traps, copper tape, or organic pellets, and check plants in the evening when slugs are most active. Aphids occasionally cluster on the undersides of leaves—wash them off with a jet of water or tolerate low numbers, as they rarely cause serious harm. Downy mildew can appear as yellow patches on leaves, particularly in damp, cool conditions; improve air circulation and avoid overhead watering. Lettuce is hardy to zone 3a, so overwintering is not an issue for spring and summer sowings. For late-summer sowings, you can extend the harvest into autumn with fleece or cloches. Mulch lightly around plants to conserve moisture and suppress weeds, but keep it away from the leaves themselves.