Tropical
Open climate guide →JanWaitFebWaitMarWaitAprPlantMayPlantJunPlantJulPlantAugWaitSepWaitOctWaitNovWaitDecWait
Aim for April, May, June, July.
Grow to Eat
When to plant Lettuce in Australia
A practical climate-by-climate planting calendar plus detailed starting, care, problem and safety guidance.
StartSow or transplantLightPart sunTiming6–10 weeksDifficultyEasy
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Australian planting calendar
Best months by climate
Highlighted months are the usual planting window. A local nursery, seed packet and current weather forecast should take priority over a broad climate calendar.
Subtropical
Open climate guide →JanWaitFebPlantMarPlantAprPlantMayPlantJunPlantJulPlantAugPlantSepPlantOctWaitNovWaitDecWait
Aim for February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September.
Warm temperate
Open climate guide →JanPlantFebPlantMarPlantAprPlantMayPlantJunPlantJulPlantAugPlantSepPlantOctPlantNovPlantDecWait
Aim for January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November.
Cool temperate
Open climate guide →JanPlantFebPlantMarPlantAprPlantMayPlantJunPlantJulPlantAugPlantSepPlantOctPlantNovWaitDecWait
Aim for January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October.
Mediterranean
Open climate guide →JanWaitFebPlantMarPlantAprPlantMayPlantJunPlantJulPlantAugPlantSepPlantOctPlantNovWaitDecWait
Aim for February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October.
Semi-arid
Open climate guide →JanWaitFebPlantMarPlantAprPlantMayPlantJunPlantJulPlantAugPlantSepPlantOctPlantNovWaitDecWait
Aim for February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October.
Arid
Open climate guide →JanWaitFebPlantMarPlantAprPlantMayPlantJunPlantJulPlantAugPlantSepPlantOctWaitNovWaitDecWait
Aim for February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September.
Start well
Plant lettuce with confidence
Sow or transplant. Sow surface sow or cover by about 3 mm, using clean seed-raising mix for trays and keeping the surface evenly moist until established.
- Sowing or planting depth
- surface sow or cover by about 3 mm
- Germination or establishment
- Commonly 7–21 days, but the seed packet and current soil temperature are the best guide for the exact variety.
- Spacing
- 20–30 cm
- Soil
- Rich, moisture-retentive soil with plenty of mature compost; usually ph 6.0–7.0.
Feeding
Support steady growth
Use compost before planting and a light nitrogen-rich feed during active leafy growth.
Water
Keep moisture balanced
Keep evenly moist; leafy growth becomes tough when plants dry out.
Maintenance
What to do as it grows
Harvest outer leaves and keep moisture consistent to maintain tender growth.
Harvest or display
Know when it is ready
6–10 weeks. Readiness varies with variety and weather; use colour, firmness, size and the supplier's maturity notes rather than the calendar alone.
Problems and companions
Keep your patch healthy
Common watch-outs
Watch for aphids, caterpillars, snails and leaf disease, especially in crowded growth.
Useful neighbours
Pair with small flowering herbs where light and spacing allow; rotate leafy crops between beds.
People and pets
Safety note
No Patch-specific toxicity warning is recorded. That does not prove the plant is safe—check the exact species with a veterinarian or poisons service if children or pets may eat it.
Moving plants
Biosecurity note
Check local weed, invasive-plant and interstate quarantine rules before sharing or moving unfamiliar plant material.
Transparent guidance
How to use this guide
Patch gives a broad Australian starting point, not a guarantee for every variety or garden. Read the Patch methodology and sources, check the latest Bureau of Meteorology climate information, and confirm interstate restrictions through Australian Interstate Quarantine.
Last reviewed 3 September 2026