When to Plant Head Lettuce in Texas

Growing Head Lettuce in Texas: Complete Guide

Head Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is a crop that grows best when sown directly in the garden. In Texas, the right time to direct sow is around Tuesday, January 13, 2026, once soil temperatures are consistently warm enough for germination.

Because Texas stretches across 9 USDA hardiness zones (6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b), planting windows can shift by as much as six to eight weeks from one end of the state to the other. Gardeners in the warmer southern zones can start earlier, while those in cooler northern zones should wait until the zone table above shows their last frost has passed.

With 70 days to maturity, Head Lettuce fits comfortably within Texas's growing season in most zones. In the warmest parts of the state, a second planting later in the season may be possible.

Head Lettuce requires full sun and regular moisture. Gulf Coast gardeners face intense summer heat and humidity — afternoon shade and consistent irrigation are key to success.

For the most precise planting dates tailored to your exact location, enter your ZIP code on our planting calendar or use the zone table above to find the schedule for your area of Texas.