Corn salad (lamb's lettuce) Valerianella locusta
Corn salad (lamb's lettuce) (Valerianella locusta) is an annual vegetable in the Caprifoliaceae family, native to Europe, North Africa and western Asia. It grows 10–25 cm (4–10 in) tall and 10–15 cm (4–6 in) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -15 °C (5 °F). Space plants about 10 cm (4 in) apart.
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Corn salad (lamb's lettuce) at a glance
| Type | Annual vegetable |
|---|---|
| Family | Caprifoliaceae |
| Mature height | 10–25 cm (4–10 in) |
| Mature spread | 10–15 cm (4–6 in) |
| Spacing | 10 cm (4 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 6–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -15 °C (5 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 7) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 22 °C (72 °F) |
| Flowering | about 17–34 weeks after planting, for 3–4 weeks |
| Days to maturity | About 70 days from planting |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Yes: leaves |
| Native to | Europe, North Africa and western Asia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇫🇷 France, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom |
Is Corn salad (lamb's lettuce) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not toxic; a salad vegetable.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Corn salad (lamb's lettuce)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
Questions about Corn salad (lamb's lettuce)
- How far apart should I plant Corn salad (lamb's lettuce)?
- About 10 cm (4 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 10–15 cm (4–6 in).
- Does Corn salad (lamb's lettuce) need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Corn salad (lamb's lettuce) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Corn salad (lamb's lettuce)?
- It tolerates about -15 °C (5 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 7. As an annual it is usually planted out after the last frost.
- When does Corn salad (lamb's lettuce) flower?
- About 17–34 weeks after planting, for 3–4 weeks.
- Is Corn salad (lamb's lettuce) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not toxic; a salad vegetable.
- What grows well with Corn salad (lamb's lettuce)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Corn salad (lamb's lettuce). Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
- Plants For A Future database, PFAF
Notes and assumptions
- Winter annual: sown late summer to autumn, harvested through winter. Germination fails in hot soil above about 20 C.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Valerian Valeriana officinalis
- Haskap (honeyberry) Lonicera caerulea
- Red valerian Centranthus ruber
- Common honeysuckle (woodbine) Lonicera periclymenum
- Weigela Weigela florida
- Field scabious Knautia arvensis
- Twinflower Linnaea borealis
- Ominaeshi (golden lace, Patrinia) Patrinia scabiosifolia