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Celtuce is an ancient variety of lettuce.

Grow: celtuce

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Add celtuce, which looks like cos lettuce on a long stem, and add another leafy green to your menu.

Celtuce
Lactuca sativa var. angustana

Looking for a new vegie to add to your patch this autumn? Grow celtuce, a popular, ancient variety of lettuce from southern China, that looks like cos lettuce growing on a long stem.

How to grow

Like all other lettuces, celtuce is an annual that is easy to grow across Australia and grows best through the cooler months of the year. Plants start off growing only leaves, before putting energy into growing the tall, prized stem. Harvest when stems have thickened up, but before plants start to bolt. For a continual harvest, sow a new batch every 4–6 weeks.

Uses

While the entire plant is edible, celtuce is grown predominantly for its thick stem that tastes like a mix of broccoli and cucumber. It’s slightly sweet in flavour, has a crunchy texture and hint of nuttiness. Celtuce stems are peeled before eating and can be sliced and eaten raw or lightly cooked. Young leaves can be used in salads; older leaves in stir-fries.

For more expert growing tips for the cooler seasons, get a copy of our Early Winter 2025 issue (OG 157), available here.

The cover of the Early Winter 2025 issue of ABC Organic Gardener magazine features a Porcelian Belgian D'Uccle chicken.
The Early Winter 2025 issue of ABC Organic Gardener features a Porcelian Belgian D’Uccle chicken.

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