Downtowngal / CC BY-SA 3.0
garden
Celtuce
Overview
A dual-purpose lettuce variety prized in Chinese cuisine for its thick, succulent stem rather than its leaves. The peeled stem has a crisp, refreshing texture and mild flavor often compared to a cross between celery and cucumber. Though lesser-known in the West, celtuce (also called stem lettuce or wosun) is a fascinating addition to the vegetable garden.
Companion Planting & Soil
Good Companions
Soil pH6 — 7
Soil TypeRich, moist, well-drained soil
Planting Calendar
When to sow, transplant, and harvest by growing zone.
| Zone | Action | Months | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold (1-2) | Start Indoors | Mar — Apr | Start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost; cool-season crop |
| Cold (1-2) | Direct Sow | May — Jun | Direct sow after frost; thin to 12" for stem development |
| Cold (1-2) | Harvest | Jun — Aug | Harvest outer leaves anytime; cut stem at 12-18" tall before flowering |
| Cool (3-4) | Direct Sow | Mar — May | Direct sow in spring; thin to 12" apart |
| Cool (3-4) | Harvest | May — Jul | Peel thick stem; crisp and mild; stir-fry or eat raw |
| Moderate (5-7) | Direct Sow | Mar — Apr | Sow in early spring; harvest leaves early, stem later |
| Moderate (5-7) | Direct Sow | Aug — Sep | Fall sowing for cool-weather crop |
| Moderate (5-7) | Harvest | Apr — Jun | Harvest stem when 1" diameter; peel before eating |
| Moderate (5-7) | Harvest | Oct — Nov | Fall harvest |
| Warm (8-9) | Direct Sow | Sep — Oct | Fall sow; stem lettuce prized in Chinese cuisine |
| Warm (8-9) | Harvest | Nov — Feb (wraps) | Cool-season harvest |
| Hot (10+) | Direct Sow | Oct — Nov | Cool-season crop; bolts in heat |
| Hot (10+) | Harvest | Dec — Feb (wraps) | Winter harvest |
Uses
Culinary
- Stem peeled and sliced raw into salads and cold dishes
- Stir-fried with garlic and sesame oil
- Leaves used like any lettuce green
Other Uses
- Unusual heirloom vegetable for adventurous gardeners
