How To Grow Lettuce Indoors

How to Grow Lettuce Indoors

Growing lettuce indoors is not only easy but economical too! Although not technically a microgreen, we're going to categorize it as such because we harvest baby leaf lettuce before it's a mature plant.

We'll show you how to grow lettuce indoors from seed to harvest. 

The methods, steps, and equipment we use are a bit different than how we grow most microgreens, but it's easy, inexpensive, and you can get more than one cutting from a tray.

Below, we'll explain and show you a video on how to grow lettuce indoors step-by-step.

Click here to skip down to the video.

growing lettuce indoors

We may earn a small commission from the companies mentioned in this post at no additional cost to you. Not all links are connected to affiliate companies.

What's Needed to Grow Lettuce Indoors

As we mentioned, the equipment and procedure are a bit different than our usual microgreen methods.

First, let's go over the trays and required light for growing lettuce indoors.

Trays for Growing Lettuce

Microgreens can be grown in smaller trays (although there's nothing wrong with growing them in large trays either) because they're usually added to salads for flavor, color, and nutrition. They're also added in small quantities to dishes and food as ingredients.

We find the Home Microgreen tray at 38 square inches an excellent size for most microgreens.

For Lettuce, Not So Much

While lettuce is generally the bulk of a salad, more product is needed per person. Therefore, it makes sense to sow lettuce seeds in larger trays than microgreens.

We use shallow 1020 trays (shown below), the same trays we use to grow microgreens that we sell at grocery stores, customer subscriptions, and farmers' markets. You can purchase these at Bootstrap Farmer.

microgreen trays

You can also use 1010 shallow trays, we often use these to grow several different lettuce types at the same time. 

You can purchase the 1010 trays in the Home Microgreen Store.

1010 microgreen trays

We also recommend using a humidity dome.

Lettuce seed needs humidity and, to a lesser extent, light to germinate.

The humidity dome will keep moisture around the seeds and seedlings, even out temperature fluctuations, and keep the upper surface of the soil moist, so the tender roots don't dry out.

Before we discuss how much light you need, I'll introduce the video that shows you the step-by-step process on how to grow lettuce indoors.

How to Grow Lettuce Indoors Video

Light Requirements

Lettuce, unlike microgreens, does need quite a bit of supplemental light when grown indoors. 

The type of light needed depends on the variety of lettuce you're growing as well as your expectations.

Green Leaf Lettuce

Green leaf lettuce grows to the baby leaf stage (1.5- to 3.5-inches long) requires the least amount of light. A south-facing window can work, although we do recommend using an LED light in the color spectrum of at least 5,000k. We have used these Barrina lights with success.

Red Leaf Lettuce

Red leaf lettuce, however, requires more light. A full-spectrum LED grow light is recommended. The red leaf will grow fine under the less powerful LED lights, but the color will be dull. In that case, you might as well grow green leaf lettuce as it will grow more vigorously than red leaf under poor light.

We've had great success with the Mars Hydro SP 150 LED grow light. You can see a review of this light (growing red leaf lettuce) in the video below.

Hopefully, we'll get a Mars Hydro SP 250 to test as it will cover a larger area and be more powerful bring out even more intense red colors in the leaf lettuce.

The general rule is that lettuce grows better in locations that receive more natural sunlight, or the artificial light has a broader spectrum and more wattage (power).

Pin the photo below to your Pinterest Microgreen Board!

growing lettuce indoors

Steps on How to Grow Lettuce Indoors

Step 1

Fill a 1010 or 1020 tray with a professional potting mix. We use coconut coir based potting soil as it is easier to wet in the beginning, wicks water better from below, and doesn't oversaturate as peat-based mixes do.

Level the soil in the tray, tamping it firmly but not compacting it.

lettuce soil tray

Step 2

Wet the surface of the soil with a spray bottle. The soil doesn't need to be saturated all the way through. Only the upper half needs moisture.

wetting microgreen soil with sprayer

Step 3

Add lettuce seed to the shaker bottle. 

Here's the part most people can't believe.

Only add between 0.7 and 0.8 grams for a 1020 tray. I know it doesn't seem like much.

lettuce seeds

As the lettuce grows, the leaves will take up the room. Add more seed, and you'll have die-back inside the tray. The leaves get so dense that the inside leaves with brown and whither.

Trust me. Don't even use all of the 0.8 grams.

Usually, we only sow 0.6-grams! The plants will be healthier, and the second cutting will be better.

Step 4

Sow the seeds evening across the tray. This is the hard part. 

There are so few seeds, and the seeds are so small and light, it's hard to space them evenly.

That's why I provide 0.8-grams. Just in case you sow all the seeds and don't cover all the area. I've done it. But resist using all 0.8-grams.

sowing lettuce seeds

Step 5

Mist and spray the seeds with water. 

Gently at first, the seeds are light, and too much water pressure will throw the seeds out of the tray. Mist them first, then increase the spray pressure. 

All you need to do is wet the soil surface. Don't saturate the soil. The mist will not only wet the seeds but help make seed/soil contact.

Step 6

Put the seeded tray under the grow lights or near a sunny window (or both).

Place the humid dome over the top of the tray. If your dome has once of those twisting vents. Make sure it's closed. We want to keep the moisture in the tray.

lettuce tray seeded
lettuce tray under lights

We use the Mars Hydro SP 150 and it works great!

mars hydro sp 150 full spectrum led grow light

You can read my review of the Mars Hydro SP 150 LED Full-spectrum grow light by clicking this link.

Step 7

Wait. How long depends on the temperature, the lettuce variety, and probably some other factors that aren't coming to mind this late at night...

You should see some seed germinating in 3- to 4-days. Lettuce seeds don't appear to germinate all at the same time, so it might take up to 6-days for all of them to start growing.

lettuce seeds germinating

As long as your humidity dome is secure, you shouldn't have to water the seeds (again, coconut coir base mixes work well at holding water). If, however, you see the soil is turning a lighter brown, by all means, use a spray bottle and mist the little guys.

Step 8

Once the majority of the lettuce seedlings are 3/4-inches tall, take off the humidity dome. Using the mist sprayer, soak the surface of the soil until it's dark brown again. Don't worry if some of the lettuce seedlings tip over. They'll stand back up.

lettuce seedlings

The tray may look sparse. It's ok, it will fill in.

Also, by add 1-cup of water, it will allow the soil in the bottom of the tray to uptake water.

bottome watering a tray of plants

Yes, I know that is a tray of microgreens and not a tray of lettuce. But you get the idea.

Check the tray each day for dryness, but don't water from the top again. Only bottom water. After an hour or so, check the watering tray. If there's water, dump it out. As much as lettuce loves water, they can still be overdone.

The foliage is going to start closing in as the days go on, you'll see that the sparse looking tray is now full. So overwatering can lead to fungus issues as little air gets to the soil once the lettuce gets bigger.

Step 9

After 25 to 35 days (again, many factors involved), you can take your first cutting of baby leaf lettuce.

how to grow lettuce indoors

Cut the lettuce leaves 1/2- to 3/4-inches above the soil level. This way, the lettuce will regrow.

Either cut what you want to use that day or harvest the whole tray. Either way, remove any debris such as cut leaves or brown leaves and put the tray back under the light.

The lettuce will start to regrow.

harvesting lettuce indoors

You can often get as many as 3 cuttings off of one tray. However, each cutting gets a little more bitter. I find that the 3rd cutting is ok, but the 4th cutting is often too bitter to enjoy.

What Next

After you've grown your first tray of lettuce, you know a few things. 

How long it took you to grow the lettuce from seed to harvest under your conditions. Everyone will have a bit different results depending on the amount of light, warmth, and attention you gave the lettuce plants.

You also know how many servings the tray of lettuce provided for you and your family. 

With these two knowns, you can calculate how often and how many trays you need to grow to keep your family supplied with fresh-cut lettuce.

Even in the winter. 

Things to keep in mind is that the temperature and light available with change with the seasons. More warmth and light will increase production. 

Want to Grow Lettuce Indoors?

You can purchase all the supplies you need from the sources below. Let's start with the seed.

Lettuce Seed

The Home Microgreen Store has packages of lettuce pre-measured for 1020 trays. Click the button below to see the currently available lettuce seeds.

Heavy-Duty 1020 Trays

These are indescribable. You will never have to buy more trays again if you use these. Worth the investment.

Looking for fewer and smaller trays? The Home Microgreen Store also sells heavy-duty 1010 shallow microgreen trays. 

Full-Spectrum LED Grow Light

The Mars Hydro SP 150 is worth every penny. It has the power to grow green and red leaf lettuce quickly and with great color. See the photo below.

ruby red leaf lettuce

Use the code "microgreens" to save money!

Soil

The Home Microgreen Store has bags of soil that will fill your 1020 shallow microgreen tray. Click the button below to visit the Home Microgreen Store.

We hope that this article was helpful to you.

It's so easy to grow lettuce indoors. 

You'll never want to eat the lettuce from the store again. Your lettuce will be fresh, sweet, and silky tender.

Say goodbye to grocery store lettuce.

home microgreens

Home Microgreens Store

All the supplies and microgreen seeds you need to grow beautiful and nutritious microgreens at home!

Our prices are as competitive as the larger seed sellers. We also have our own soil, microgreen kits, and trays!

Have a Question?

If you have any questions about the information in this post or microgreens in general please leave a comment below or reach out to me using the Ask a Question page

Leaving a comment or using the Ask a Question page does not add your email to any mailing or marketing list. 

Microgreen Kits & Seeds

Grow Microgreens in Your Home!

Shop for Kits, Equipment, and Seed.

Author of this Article is Todd

Todd is the founder of Home Microgreens & the Home Microgreens store. He also writes for several other websites, including MyViewFromTheWoods.com.

His microgreens have appeared in Better Homes & Garden magazine and other websites.
Todd worked at a large farm market, garden & nursery center for 20-years. Somehow he snuck off to become a geologist and professor before coming back to his senses to write & lecture about microgreens and gardening. He will be in the garden, trout stream, or on a mountain trail with his Springer Spaniel Caden when not at the computer.

You May Also Like

Home Microgreens Also Offers the Following

Microgreen eBook

A comprehensive microgreen ebook that details the principals of growing microgreens at home. Several different methods and processes are detailed.

The ebook comes in two versions, one version includes instructions to grow the most commonly grown microgreens. The second includes access the microgreen vault, a database containing more varieties and information with images taken throughout the stages of growth.

Video Courses for the Home Grower

The Home Microgreens Video Course is perfect for the person that wants to grow one or more trays of microgreens for home use. Trays of microgreens also make great gifts! 

The course includes short, easy to follow videos and checklist for each step along the way.

Step-by-step video instructions are included for the most commonly grown microgreen varieties. 

Grow for Profit Course

Do you want to learn how to grow microgreens for profit? Grow microgreens as a side hustle, retirement income, or maybe even as an occupation. 

It's possible to earn a few hundred to thousands of dollars a month. 

The Grow for Profit Video Course shows you what is involved to set up a microgreens business, how to setup your grow area, and instructions on how to grow many different varieties. 

The Home Microgreens Store

The Home Microgreen Store has all the supplies you need to grow microgreens at home. 

We stock complete microgreen kits, trays, professional potting soil, miscellaneous equipment and of course microgreens seeds.

Microgreen kits make great gifts, home school or rainy day projects, and are fun for the whole family.

Instructions are included as well as email support.

Our kit and seed prices are very competitive if not the lowest on the internet.