Red Deer Tongue Lettuce, Heirloom Seeds

Red Deer Tongue Lettuce, Heirloom Seeds — The Uniquely Dual-Type Heirloom That Starts as a Dark Red Cutting Lettuce Then Forms a Butter-Cos Heart, Striking White Midrib, 50–55 Days

Really Red Deer Tongue (Lactuca sativa) is one of the most distinctive and hard-to-classify lettuces you'll grow — and that's exactly what makes it special. Long, pointed, tongue-shaped leaves are deep red with a striking white midrib, making each leaf look almost hand-painted. What's unusual about this variety: it begins as a dark red cutting-type lettuce, then matures into a compact butter-cos style heart. Two crops in one planting — harvest the outer leaves early as a vivid red cutting lettuce, then let the center develop into a tender, flavorful butter-cos head. Probably best as a spring lettuce before heat triggers bolting. A dramatic addition to the garden and the salad bowl. 50–55 days.

Why Grow Really Red Deer Tongue?

• Uniquely dual-type — starts as a dark red cutting lettuce, then forms a butter-cos style heart.
• Dramatically dark red leaves — long, pointed, tongue-shaped leaves with a striking white midrib
• Two harvests in one planting — cut outer leaves early, then harvest the tender butter-cos heart.
• Ornamental and edible — one of the most visually striking lettuces in the kitchen garden
• Best as a spring lettuce — thrives in cool weather; succession plant for continuous harvest.
• Cut-and-come-again — harvest outer leaves regularly to extend the cutting phase
• Open-pollinated heirloom — save seed year after year

Harvesting

Baby greens: Harvest at 20–25 days when leaves reach 3–4 inches — vivid red color makes a stunning salad mix addition. Cutting type phase: Harvest long outer leaves individually as the plant grows — deep red with white midribs, beautiful fresh or as a garnish. Butter-cos heart: Allow 50–55 days for the center to develop into a compact, tender butter-cos style heart with a milder, sweeter flavor than the outer leaves. Harvest in the morning for best texture. Store refrigerated in a plastic bag for 7–10 days.

Growing Notes

Direct sow ⅛ inch deep (surface sow also works — lettuce benefits from light to germinate), 2 inches apart, thinning to 6 inches for full heads. Start 4–6 weeks before last frost indoors for spring; or sow 6–8 weeks before first fall frost. Best as a spring lettuce — bolt-resistant but will bolt in sustained summer heat. Full sun to partial shade. Nitrogen-rich, well-composted, consistently moist soil (55–70°F ideal). Succession sow every 2–3 weeks for continuous harvest. Performs equally well direct sown or transplanted.

Packed and shipped by Box Garden Seeds LLC — heirloom seeds grown without GMOs, selected for flavor, resilience, and your garden's success.