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Growing requirements from the plant library. Cultivar and local conditions can change the details.

Care decision	Leaf lettuceLactuca sativa
Light	Full sun in cool seasons; partial shade can be useful as weather warms. University of Maryland Extension: Growing lettuce
Water	Keep the shallow feeding-root zone consistently moist without saturating it.
Soil & growing mix	Fertile, drained, moisture-retentive soil; about pH 6–6.8 is a useful garden target. University of Minnesota Extension: Lettuce, endive and radicchio
Mature size	Often about 6–12 inches high and wide before bolting; cultivar and harvest stage change the space needed. NC State Extension Plant Toolbox: Lactuca sativa
Growing season	Cool spring or fall conditions; summer production depends on climate, cultivar and exposure.
Winter & climate	Annual; tolerates light frost but requires protection from harder freezing. University of Maryland Extension: Growing lettuce
Container fit	Well suited to containers. Check mature size and root-space guidance in the reference.
Place & variety	Loose-leaf lettuce is a crop form within Lactuca sativa, not a different species from romaine, butterhead or iceberg. This profile focuses on nonheading cultivars; warm long days can trigger bolting even where watering is good.
Equipment to consider	Espoma Organic Potting Mix, 8-quart bag
Evidence & next steps	Vegetable gardens guides → Harvest Leaf Lettuce for Regrowth, and Know When Bolting Ends the Crop Plan Lettuce Successions Without Harvesting Everything at Once Container drainage starts with the whole pot Read the growing reference University of Maryland Extension: Growing lettuce University of Minnesota Extension: Lettuce, endive and radicchio

These facts help compare choices. They do not establish that plants can share a pot, watering circuit or outdoor site. Check the full reference and local suitability before planting.

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