Black Seeded Simpson Lettuce seeds produce a fast looseleaf heirloom with pale green ruffled leaves and a generous cut-and-come-again habit. Black Seeded Simpson Lettuce performs best when the crop is timed for cool weather, established in fertile, well-drained soil, and kept growing without drought checks. Beginner gardens, baby leaf, succession sowing, and quick salads are where this variety earns its place. About Black Seeded Simpson Lettuce Black Seeded Simpson Lettuce is an annual selection of lettuce, with a rosette habit and an expected height or spread of 7–12 in. It is best suited to salad greens, baby leaf or heads, succession planting, containers, and seed saving. Notable traits include black coloring; large loose rosette; mild to richly textured leaves according to type. Choose Black Seeded Simpson Lettuce when the garden plan calls for salad greens, baby leaf or heads, succession planting, containers, and seed saving and the listed rosette habit fits the available space. History and provenance Leafy greens have been selected for rosette form, head type, color, texture, bitterness, season, and bolt resistance. Mixtures and market classes should not be given a single invented pedigree, and forcing chicory, endive, lettuce, and spinach remain botanically distinct crops. Black Seeded Simpson is one of the best-known nineteenth-century American looseleaf lettuces. It has circulated through many seed houses and strain selections. Black Seeded Simpson is one of the best-known nineteenth-century American looseleaf lettuces. Growing facts Scientific name Lactuca sativa L. Life cycle Annual Maturity 30-39 Days Germination 3-7 Days at 45–60 °F Seed depth 1/8 in Plant height / spread 7–12 in Growth habit Rosette Spacing 8 in between plants; 18 in between rows Sunlight Full - Partial Sun Soil Loamy; pH 6.0–6.5 Water Moderate Support No-Support Starting Black Seeded Simpson Lettuce from seed Sow 1/8 in deep and keep the seed zone evenly moist. Expect emergence in 3-7 Days when the seed-zone temperature is near 45–60 °F. Germination preparation: Direct sow into a prepared, weed-free seedbed; avoid disturbing developing roots or dense stands. Light requirement: Light aids germination; barely cover. Soaking: None required. Stratification: None required. Scarification: None required. Planting and care Plant during spring and provide full - partial sun. Space plants 8 in apart with 18 in between rows. Use loamy with a pH near 6.0–6.5, and follow a moderate watering plan. Support requirement: No-Support. Frost response: Semi-Hardy. Good container fit with drainage, even moisture, and the listed spacing Harvest and use Approximately 30-39 Days, from direct sowing or transplanting to the listed baby-leaf or head stage. Weather, soil temperature, and planting method can shift the actual harvest date. Harvest: Large loose rosette. Uses: Salad greens, baby leaf or heads, succession planting, containers, and seed saving. Flavor: mild to richly textured leaves according to type. Seed saving: Primarily self-pollinated annual. Best uses include salad greens, baby leaf or heads, succession planting, containers, and seed saving. Flavor and eating quality: mild to richly textured leaves according to type. Saving seed Select several healthy, true-to-type Black Seeded Simpson Lettuce plants that match the expected rosette habit and overall plant form. Avoid saving seed only from the earliest or largest individual unless that is your deliberate selection goal. Pollination system: Primarily self-pollinated annual. Crossing is less frequent than in brassicas but can occur at close range. Separate compatible varieties that may flower together, or use cages, barriers, hand pollination, or another documented control appropriate to the crop. Allow selected plants to pass the eating stage and reach full botanical seed maturity. Harvest only when seed heads, pods, or fruits have matured enough for sound seed development. Clean the seed carefully, dry it thoroughly away from direct heat, label the lot with variety and year, and store it cool, dark, and dry. Test germination before an important planting or distribution season. Common problems Common concerns: Aphids, slugs, leaf miners, caterpillars, damping-off, bottom rot, and premature bolting under stress. Management: Use clean beds, even moisture, spacing for airflow, crop rotation, and harvest before heat or crowding lowers quality. Diagnosis note: Similar symptoms can have different causes. Compare plants of the same age, record weather and irrigation, and use local Extension or diagnostic support before applying a control. Frequently asked questions Frequently Asked Questions - Black Seeded Simpson Lettuce When is Black Seeded Simpson Lettuce ready? Use 30-39 Days. Approximately 30-39 Days, from direct sowing or transplanting to the listed baby-leaf or head stage. Weather, soil temperature, and planting method can shift the actual harvest date. How long does germination take? Expect 3-7 Days at about 45–60 °F. Cooler, hotter, crusted, saturated, or dry seedbeds can slow emergence. How large does it grow? Expect about 7–12 in with a rosette habit. Space plants 8 in apart and rows 18 in apart. Support: No-Support. Can it grow in a container? Good container fit with drainage, even moisture, and the listed spacing Use a container with drainage and enough volume to maintain the listed spacing and steady moisture. Can I save seed? Primarily self-pollinated annual. Keep compatible varieties isolated and allow selected plants to reach full seed maturity.
