PlantFun
Plant Needs
Sunlight
Partial sun to full sun; tolerate light shade in hot climates to prevent premature bolting
Watering
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; avoid drought stress to maintain leaf crispness
Temperature
Thrives in cool temperatures; bolts rapidly above 24°C; tolerate light frost
Characteristics
- Leaf: Tight, overlapping, crisp pale green to white leaves forming dense, round heads; outer leaves darker green.
- Stem: Thick, fleshy central stem supporting the head; elongates when bolting to produce flowers.
- Flower: Small, daisy-like yellow composite flowers on tall, branching stalks when bolting.
Care Guide
Watering
Keep soil evenly moist; water deeply 2–3 times weekly to avoid dry soil
Fertilization
Apply diluted balanced liquid feed every 2 weeks. Use nitrogen-rich feed to promote leaf growth in early stages
Composted eggshell tea：Steep crushed, dried eggshells in water for 3 days; dilute 1:10 for root drench to boost calcium levels and reduce leaf tip burnPruning
- Remove outer yellowing leaves to maintain head health and improve airflow
- Cut back bolting stalks promptly to redirect energy to leaf growth if early bolting occurs
- Harvest entire head by cutting at the base when fully formed; leave outer leaves for limited regrowth in some varieties
Toxicity
Warning: this plant may be toxic.
Pets & Humans
Pets: ASPCA confirmed non-toxic; no adverse effects from ingestion
Humans: Non-toxic; edible as a common leafy vegetable
Garden Uses & Culture
Culture: N/A
Usage: Edible leafy vegetable for salads, sandwiches, and wraps; ornamental edible garden plant
