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Product Details
Product Details
This deep-red, mini-romaine is a game-changer for Caesar salads! 'Truchas' is compact and easy to grow in small spaces and beautifully complements green lettuces. Uniform leaves stay upright in the garden and are easy to clean. Disease resistant to downy mildew, lettuce die-back, and lettuce mosaic virus. Seeds are pelletized with an organic coating for easy handling.
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- Variety Info
- Sowing Info
- Growing Info
Variety Info
Days to Maturity: 21–48 days
Family: Asteraceae
Type: Romaine Lettuce (Learn more)
Native: Unknown; lettuce has been in cultivation for a long time.
Hardiness: Frost-tolerant annual
Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Plant Dimensions: 6"–8" wide, 6"–8" tall
Variety Info: Glossy, upright, cherry-red leaves with a green midrib. 'Truchas' is a miniature, romaine-type lettuce with resistance to downy mildew, lettuce die-back, and lettuce mosaic virus.
Attributes: Downy Mildew Resistant, Lettuce Mosaic Virus Resistant, Frost Tolerant, Good for Containers, Pelleted
Sowing Info
When to Sow Outside: 2 to 4 weeks before your average last frost date, and when soil temperature is at least 40°F, ideally 60°–70°F. Successive Sowings: Every 3 weeks until 4 to 6 weeks before your average first fall frost date. Mild Climates: Sow in fall and winter for cool season harvests.
When to Start Inside: RECOMMENDED. 4 to 6 weeks before your average last frost date, and in summer when soil temperatures are too warm (above 80°F) to germinate lettuce seed.
Sprouts in: 5–10 days
Plant Seeds (Depth): 1/8"–1/4"
Space Seeds: 1 seed every 8"
Row Spacing: 10"
Thinning: Not required
Growing Info
Harvesting: Harvest in the morning, by cutting off at ground level. If regrowth is desired, cut the leaves higher, at 2". For a continual supply, outer, individual leaves can be harvested at any stage of maturity, but leave at least half of the plant for regrowth.
- Michael R.Verified ReviewerRated 5 out of 5 starsApr 28, 2026Great for pick and grow
Grows fast in my Hydroponic set up. Sowed the large one 21 days ago. This great for me as I take what I need and it keeps growing! Taste is great.
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateEGEpic GardeningMay 8, 2026Hey Michael,
We love that our Truchas Mini-Romaine Lettuce Seeds are thriving in your hydroponic setup! It's so convenient to harvest what you need and watch it keep producing! Thanks for sharing your fantastic hydroponic growing success with us! Keep on growing 🌻️
- NancyRated 5 out of 5 starsOct 25, 20245 Stars
Since Little Gem Romaine is on my Top 10 List for salad greens, I was intrigued to try Truchas Mini Romaine in my fall/winter garden. I planted these seeds on Sept 15th in the Atlanta area and 42 days later I have these lovely salad leaves. Compact and beautiful color to add to your salads. Truchas is going on my Top 10 salad green list and I will order it again for the spring.
Which best describes you as a gardener? Beginner - Pablo R.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 starsMay 31, 20245 Stars
BI makes shopping for Organic Heirloom Seeds very easy. They always have the seeds I’m looking for and the seeds I don’t know I needed! Like the Truchas Mini red Romain. The perfect Gourmet Mesclum mix and let’s not forget the many flowers they offer, like some Zinnias, Linaria fairy Bouquet, and Coreopsis Plains
Which best describes you as a gardener? Intermediate - Brenda E.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 starsNov 25, 20235 Stars
Absolutely beautiful to look at and very tasty to eat -- just let it grow up. It's definitely on my permanent garden veg list.
- Nolan B.Verified ReviewerRated 5 out of 5 starsApr 21, 2026Tough As Nails
I give these stars on behalf of the squirrels in my yard.
I knew my patio wasn't safe, but I've never had a crop so thoroughly eaten as this one. "Decimation" would be an understatement.
They must have been delicious.
On a more objective basis, my climate is kinda harsh, so "first year" attempts rarely go as well as this one did.
The germination rate of these seeds were excellent, and I have high hopes for future attempts with the same packet.
Which best describes you as a gardener? BeginnerEGEpic GardeningMay 3, 2026Hey Nolan,
Thank you so much for this hilarious and honest 5-star review of the Truchas Mini-Romaine Lettuce Seeds! I'm laughing at the idea of giving those stars on behalf of the squirrels - they clearly have excellent taste in lettuce varieties! While I'm sure it was frustrating to have your crop so thoroughly "appreciated" by your furry neighbors, it sounds like you're taking it in stride.
It's really encouraging to hear that despite your harsh climate, the germination rate was excellent and this first-year attempt went better than expected. That speaks volumes about both your growing skills and the quality of these Truchas seeds. Those squirrels just happened to discover what you were already figuring out - that you were growing something pretty special!
Here's hoping your future attempts include some creative squirrel-proofing strategies so you get to enjoy more of that delicious lettuce yourself. Thanks for sharing such an entertaining and informative review - it definitely made my day!
Keep on growing 🌻️
