Cultivars and varieties

Today there are seven different cultivars Each with numerous varieties grown, the most common cultivars being leaf, head and Cos or romaine.

  1. Leaf – Also known as loose leaf, cutting or bunching lettuce has loosely clustered leaves and is the most widely planted. It is used mainly for salads.
  2. Romaine/Cos – Used mainly for salads and sandwiches, this type forms long, upright heads and is the most often used lettuce in Caesar salads.
  3.  Head
  • Iceberg/Crisphead ships well but is low in flavour and nutritional content, composed of even more water than other lettuce types.
  • Butterhead - has a loose arrangement of leaves known for its sweet flavour and tender texture.