Iceberg Lettuce 'Ice Queen' (Lactuca sativa) Seeds
- Bolt resistant summer lettuce with serrated leaves and a particularly crisp heart.
- Open pollinated seeds - seed packet with approx. 250 seeds.
- Robust lettuce for spring and summer - suitable for head lettuce, cut and come again and baby leaf growing.
€2.59
Description
French iceberg lettuce variety well suited for summer growing
The iceberg lettuce 'Ice Queen', also known as 'Reine des Glaces', is a traditional French variety from the late 19th century and is considered one of the original forms of iceberg lettuce. This historic variety combines the typical crisp texture of a crisphead lettuce with a noticeably more aromatic flavour than modern iceberg types.
It is characterised by light green, strongly serrated leaves that give the plant a striking and almost ornamental appearance. Inside, it forms a dense, white to slightly yellowish heart with a particularly crisp texture. The flavour is fresh, mildly sweet and slightly mineral - ideal for classic salads, sandwiches or as a refreshing summer lettuce.
One of the key features of this variety is its strong resistance to bolting. While many lettuces quickly go to flower in rising temperatures, this iceberg lettuce remains harvestable for a long time. Thanks to its heat tolerance, it is perfectly suited for growing in late spring and summer, making it an excellent choice for fresh salads even in warm conditions.
In addition, this variety is very versatile. Besides forming heads, it can also be grown as cut and come again lettuce or for baby leaf production. After harvesting, new leaves often regrow from the base, allowing for multiple harvests.
Plant profile
| Use | Vegetable |
|---|---|
| Lifecycle | Annual |
| Species | Asteraceae |
| Seed propagation | Conventional production |
| Region of origin | France |
| Characteristics | bolt resistant, Loved by slugs and snails, Needs light to germinate |
| Eventual height | 15-30 cm |
| Flower colour | Yellow |
| Flowering months | August, July, June |
| Main harvest | August, July, June, May, October, September |
| Root system | Shallow roots |
Growing instructions
| When to sow outdoors | April, August, July, June, March, May |
|---|---|
| Sowing depth | 0 cm |
| Germination temperature | 10-18°C |
| Germination time | 1-2 weeks |
| Climate | Temperate |
| Soil type | Free-draining, Humus-rich, well-loosened |
| Sunlight | Full sun, Halbschatten |
| Water requirement | Medium |
| Nutrient requirements | Light feeder |
| Planting distance | 30 cm |
| Row spacing | 30 cm |
| Good companion plants | Beans, Beetroot, Carrots, Chervil, Dill, Kohlrabi, Onions, Peas, Radish, Strawberries, Tomatoes |
| Bad companion plants | Celeriac, Parsley |
Sowing and care
Sowing and care of iceberg lettuce 'Ice Queen'
Iceberg lettuce prefers a sunny to partially shaded position with loose, humus rich and well drained soil. Sow very shallowly, as lettuce requires light for germination. Pre cultivation is possible from February, while direct sowing can be carried out from spring through to summer. This bolt resistant variety is particularly well suited for summer growing.
Germination takes place at temperatures between about 10 and 18 °C within 7 to 14 days. For the formation of compact heads, the plants should be thinned to a spacing of about 30 cm. Consistent watering is important, while avoiding waterlogging. A good supply of nutrients, for example through compost, supports healthy growth.
Harvest takes place after about 60 days. Thanks to its strong resistance to bolting, the lettuce can remain in the bed longer even at warmer temperatures without losing quality.
Other names
Botanical name: Lactuca sativa
German: Eisbergsalat, Crisphead-Salat
English: iceberg lettuce, crisphead lettuce
French: laitue iceberg, laitue crisphead
Italian: lattuga iceberg
Spanish: lechuga iceberg
Dutch: ijsbergsla
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