Growing Corn Salad, also Lamb's lettuce or Mache

Valerianella locusta : Caprifoliaceae / the honeysuckle family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
    P                  

(Best months for growing Corn Salad in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 50°F and 68°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 4 - 6 inches apart
  • Harvest in 5-8 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Onions
  • Young corn salad

Like lettuce in appearance and use, however Corn Salad (Lamb's lettuce) is hardier.

Not suitable for growing in warm areas.

Grow quickly with a well enriched soil and keep watered - adding nitrogen every two weeks.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Corn Salad

Pick individual leaves or harvest the whole plant as required.

Your comments and tips

10 Mar 23, Pat leitch (Canada - Zone 3a Temperate Short Summer climate)
Where can I buy seed for lambs lettuce and where does it grow in Canada?
21 Mar 23, Anonymous (Canada - zone 4a Temperate Warm Summer climate)
Check the planting guide for your climate zone and check internet for seed sellers.
31 Dec 20, Leonora Lloyd-Evans (Australia - temperate climate)
Where can i get corn lettuce (once pandemic is over!) I live in Qld and understand you need a cool climate to grow it in. Kind regards Leonora
05 Jan 21, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Go to Boondie Seeds on the internet.
22 Mar 20, Christina (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I got Koanga (Wairoa) cornsalad seeds from Commonsense Organics in Wellington
19 May 19, Ame (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Kings Seeds have corn salad, and also a winter mesclun mix which is good for cool planting
02 May 19, Diane Francis (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Where can I buy lambs lettuce in Auckland, or can I buy it from you?
02 May 19, Liz at Gardenate (New Zealand - temperate climate)
We do not sell seeds or plants through Gardenate. You could try Egmonts.co.nz for seeds.
09 Mar 19, Jes (New Zealand - temperate climate)
In the comments about corn salad (valerianella locusta) it was recommended "Not suitable for growing in warm areas." We came across it in southern italy and sicily where it was a staple in supermakets in Autumn (we visited Oct-Nov). Sicily is pretty warm! We are in Northland and will try some as an alternative winter salad.
01 Dec 18, Stephanie Lovatt (New Zealand - temperate climate)
For on-going winter greens, let your corn salad go to seed each year. Free fresh greens in winter.
Showing 1 - 10 of 33 comments

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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