LETTUCE Seeds, Black Seeded Simpson

Black Seeded Simpson Lettuce (Lactuca sativa 'Black Seeded Simpson') is a classic heirloom, open-pollinated loose-leaf lettuce with light green, frilly, crisp leaves. One of the earliest and most reliable lettuces, it is ideal for cut-and-come-again harvests.

At a glance

• Botanical name: Lactuca sativa 'Black Seeded Simpson'
• Type: Heirloom, open-pollinated loose-leaf lettuce
• Mature height: 8 to 12 inches
• Sun: Partial shade to full sun
• Soil: Fertile, well-drained, organic-rich
• Spacing: 6 to 12 inches; sow shallow

Best for

• Cut-and-come-again salad leaves
• Sandwiches and wraps
• Containers and early spring sowing
• Quick succession crops

How to grow

Sow shallowly in fertile, well-drained soil, spacing plants 6 to 12 inches apart. Keep the soil consistently moist to prevent bitterness and bolting. Provide afternoon shade in warm weather. Pick outer leaves as needed for a long harvest. One of the fastest lettuces from seed.

Flavor profile

Mild, sweet, and crisp with tender, frilly leaves and no bitterness when grown in cool conditions.

About 99Heirlooms

99Heirlooms is a seed company devoted to heirloom and open-pollinated varieties, giving home gardeners dependable seeds with the character and heritage of generations past.