When to Plant Lettuce in Brisbane, Subtropical Guide

Sow year round in Brisbane. That includes right now, in September.

Published · Last reviewed · By Garden Buddy
Growing advice is reviewed by hand. Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.

This Lettuce guide is written for the Subtropical zone, which takes in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Cairns Sydney Melbourne Canberra Alice Springs Perth

Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.

Lettuce

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Lettuce is the most commonly grown salad green in Australian home gardens. Available in four main types: crisphead (iceberg), cos/romaine, butterhead, and loose-leaf. It is a cool-season crop that bolts rapidly in heat, making variety selection and planting timing critical. Fast-growing (4-8 weeks to harvest) and adaptable to containers, garden beds, and even part shade.

Planting Calendar for Subtropical

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
S/T/D S/T/D S/T/D S/T/D S/T/D S/T/D S/T/D S/T/D S/T/D S/T/D S/T/D S/T/D

S = Seed Tray   T = Transplant   D = Direct Sow

You can sow lettuce in any month in Subtropical, but the months are not equal. Summer heat brings faster bolting and heavier pest pressure, so pick a heat tolerant variety, sow little and often, and give afternoon shade from December through February.

Want a nudge when it is Lettuce sowing time in Brisbane?

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Current Growing Conditions

Soil temperature: 20.4°C (optimal range: 5–25°C) ✓ Ready to plant

That figure is read off my own weather station here at Dayboro in South East Queensland at 18:55 yesterday, not a model. The radar, the rain gauge and the forecasts behind it sit on Dayboro.au.

How to Grow Lettuce in Subtropical Australia

When to Plant

February-September. Peak season March-July. Can extend with shade cloth and heat-tolerant varieties. Summer is too hot.

Soil
Light, well-drained soil enriched with compost. Lettuce has shallow roots and prefers loose, friable soil.
pH Range
6.0-7.0
Sunlight
Full sun in cool seasons. Part shade essential in warm zones and during warm months to delay bolting.
Spacing
25cm apart, 30cm between rows
Watering
Light, frequent watering to keep soil consistently moist. Shallow roots dry out quickly. Morning watering preferred. Drip irrigation or soaker hose ideal. Avoid overhead watering to prevent disease.

Companion plants: Carrot, Radish, Strawberry, Chive, Onion, Marigold

Avoid planting near: Celery (some allelopathic evidence), Parsley (competes for same nutrients)

Subtropical Growing Tips for Lettuce

Recommended Varieties

  • Darwin (oakleaf)
  • Green Oakleaf
  • Buttercrunch
  • Cos (bolt-resistant types)
  • Red Coral

Key Challenges

  • Bolting from August as days lengthen and warm
  • Slugs and snails in wet weather
  • Aphids in dry autumn/winter

Pro Tips

  • Succession sow every 2-3 weeks for continuous supply
  • Afternoon shade is essential from September onwards
  • Oakleaf varieties are the most reliable for SEQ conditions

Harvesting Lettuce

When ready: Loose-leaf: when leaves are 10-15cm (baby) or 20cm+ (full size). Heading types: when head is firm and full-sized. Cos: when upright head is dense. Harvest before any signs of flower stalk elongation (bolting).

How to harvest: Cut-and-come-again: cut outer leaves at base for loose-leaf types. Whole head: cut at soil level with sharp knife in cool of morning. For cos, can harvest outer leaves or whole head.

Common Lettuce Pests in Subtropical Zones

Aphids, risk: HIGH (score: 70/100)

Organic prevention: Water in morning so soil is dry at night. Keep mulch light and away from plants. Remove hiding spots (boards, dense ground cover). Raise seedlings in pots until robust enough to withstand damage.

View all pest alerts →

Where to next

What lettuce costs in the shops right now, retailer by retailer, updated daily.

Also worth sowing in the subtropical zone this September: Lemongrass, Ginger, Beetroot and Chilli Peppers.

The pest most likely to find your lettuce: Botrytis / Grey Mould.

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Common Questions About Lettuce

When do you plant lettuce in Australia?

It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:

Does lettuce grow all year round in Brisbane?

Yes, every month is on the calendar for the Subtropical zone, though not every month is equally easy.

Which zone am I in?

Type your postcode into the box under the heading and the page tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Subtropical zone, Brisbane is its reference city.