Cracoviensis Celtuce, Heirloom

The Seed Savers Exchange -Heirloom, Non-GMO, Open-Pollinated, Organic

Plant Description

Also known as stem or asparagus lettuce, celtuce is a lettuce cultivar that produces edible, thick, crisp, and nutty-flavored stems and highly-toothed, dark-red and green leaves with a slightly bitter, yet surprisingly refreshing, flavor when eaten young. Very popular in Asia, celtuce stems are harvested when they reach a foot long and then typically sautés

Growing Habits

Edible leaves are best eaten about 4–5 weeks after planting, and the stems are ready when they reach about a foot tall (about 60 days).

How to Harvest

Celtuce leaves are best enjoyed when young and become more bitter with age. Cut the outer leaves as they mature. 

Celtuce stems, however, are why most gardeners grow this lettuce cultivar. ​​The stem is usually harvested at a length of around a foot and a diameter of around 1.5". Celtuce stems will last for three weeks or more when placed in a ziplock bag in a refrigerator vegetable drawer.