Harvesting lettuce seeds is easy, fun, and frugal. In this post, I will tell you when and how to collect and save lettuce seeds from your garden, including step by step instructions.
Collecting lettuce seeds is a great way to save yourself some money, and keep your favorite varieties for years to come.
One of the most rewarding tasks in my garden is harvesting seeds to plant next year, and lettuce is one of my favorites.
If you get into the habit of gathering lettuce seeds every year, you’ll never need to buy them again. You’ll also be able to share with friends, or trade them for other seeds.
Here’s what you’ll find in this detailed step by step guide…
Harvesting Lettuce Seeds From Your Garden
If you want to try your hand at harvesting lettuce seeds, you’ll be thrilled to know that it’s very easy. Once you learn what to look for, the actual steps don’t take much time at all.
It doesn’t matter which variety you have either. You can get seeds from any type of lettuce plant, and the steps for saving them are the same.
Flowering lettuce plants in my garden
Does Lettuce Have Seeds?
Yes, lettuce gets seeds. Most people never see them because they pull out the plant long before it has a chance to set seed.
One lettuce plant produces a ton of seeds. So you really only need to allow one or two from each of your favorite varieties to go to seed.
How Does Lettuce Produce Seeds
Before you will be able to harvest lettuce seeds, the plant must bolt (i.e.: flower). Many people are surprised to hear that lettuce plants bloom after bolting.
But don’t get too excited. The flowers don’t last very long, and they are very small (and really not that pretty, if you ask me).
My lettuce plants going to seed
When Does Lettuce Go To Seed
As many gardeners already know, heat is what triggers bolting. Once that starts to happen, it takes several weeks before lettuce seeds are mature enough to harvest.
I usually collect lettuce seeds sometime in late summer or early fall here in my Minnesota garden. But, it might happen earlier for you, depending on where you live.
Where Do Lettuce Seeds Come From?
They form inside of the flower heads. Once the blossoms start to fade, the heads will eventually turn yellow or brown.
Shortly after that, white puffs will form on top (similar to a dandelion). The seeds are located at the bottom of each of these white puffs.
Mature lettuce seeds ready to collect
When To Harvest Lettuce Seeds
You’ll know it’s time to harvest lettuce seeds when the flower head turns yellow, or dries out, and the white cotton puffs come out around the top.
If you’re still unsure, gently tug at one of the white puffs. If they are ready, the seeds will come out with very little effort.
What Do The Seed Pods Look Like
Well, technically speaking, lettuce plants don’t really form seed pods. Instead, the seeds are located inside of the flower head.
Though, once they are filled with seeds, the dried flowers do look very much like oval-shaped pods.
Lettuce flowers starting to set seed
What Do Lettuce Seeds Look Like
Lettuce seeds are small, flat, and oval shaped, with slightly pointy tips. They can vary in color anywhere from black, to dark grayish-brown, to almost white – depending on the variety.
How To Harvest Lettuce Seeds
Harvesting lettuce seeds is really simple, and doesn’t take much time. However, I recommend doing it on a windless day. Otherwise they could blow away, since they are so lightweight.
The best part is that you don’t need any special skills or equipment to get it done! Here’s what you’ll need…
Supplies Needed:
- Collection container (plastic bowl, small bucket, baggie, or a paper bag)
- Precision pruning shears
Step 1: Choose your collection container – I find it easier to use a small plastic bucket or bowl for harvesting lettuce seeds.
But you could certainly use a paper bag or a plastic baggie, if that’s what you have on hand.
Step 2: Pinch out the cotton puffs – Gently pinch the entire cotton puff between your fingers, and then pull it out.
The seeds are attached to the ends of the white stuff, and should come out easily if they are mature.
Step 3: Drop the seeds into your container – Carefully drop the seeds into your collection container. You can alo try gently rolling the cotton stuff between your finger and thumb to release the seeds.
Take care not to breathe on them, or move the container too fast, or they could blow away.
Repeat with as many of the flowers as you want, until you’ve collected the desired amount of lettuce seeds.
Optional method: Rather than pinching each flower one by one, sometimes it’s easier to clip them off.
Use a sharp pair of pruners to cut the entire flower head, and drop it into your bucket or bag.
Step 4: Bring them inside – Take your container or paper bag inside the house to prepare the seeds for storage.
Collecting lettuce seeds from my garden
What To Do With Lettuce Seeds After Collecting
Once you’re done collecting lettuce seeds from the garden, you need to separate them from the chaff and dry them before storage.
How To Separate Lettuce Seeds From Chaff
Once you get them inside, break apart the flower heads to remove the seeds inside. They will usually fall out easily, but you may need to use your fingernail to remove a few.
Regardless of how you harvested them, lettuce seeds tend to have a lot of chaff (i.e.: flower head pieces and other debris) mixed in. It can be difficult to get rid of all of it.
But don’t worry, a little bit of chaff won’t affect the ability to save or grow them. Pick out the largest pieces of debris, and do the best you can to separate the seeds from the smaller bits.
Separating lettuce seeds and chaff
How To Dry Lettuce Seeds
It’s important to allow lettuce seeds to dry completely before saving them. That way, you will avoid any potential molding.
To do that, simply lay them out on a dry surface, where they will be protected from any type of wind. Let them air dry for at least a week, and you’re good.
How To Save Lettuce Seeds For Next Year
You can plant your freshly harvested lettuce seeds right away, or save them for next year. There are lots of options for storing them.
Try organizing them in pocket sheets that you can keep in a 3-ring binder. Or seal them in small envelopes, and put them into a cute box.
You could even make your own DIY seed envelopes for keeping them organized, or sharing them with friends. Learn all about the right way to store seeds here.
How Long Do Lettuce Seeds Last?
If you keep them in a dark, cool location where they are protected from moisture, lettuce seeds can last 3-4 years. So you can save them for the long term.
However, I always recommend collecting lettuce seeds every 1-2 years in order to keep your stash fresh. That will give you the best results.
Where To Buy The Seeds
It’s easy to find a variety of lettuce seeds for sale at your local garden center, or big box store in the later winter or early spring.
Of course, you can also buy them online any time of the year. Here are some great, quality seeds to get you started…
Harvesting lettuce seeds is incredibly simple once you know what to look for. Plus, it is so much fun to gather your own lettuce seeds each year. You’ll never have to rely on the garden center to buy them again.
If you want to learn all you need to know about how to easily grow any type of seed you want, then enroll in the Online Seed Starting Course today! It’s comprehensive, self-paced online course that will walk you through everything you need to be successful. Enroll and get started right away!
Otherwise, if you just want a quick-start intro, or need a quick refresher about how to start seeds indoors, then my Seed Starting Indoors eBook would be perfect for you!
Up Next: Learn how to grow lettuce from seed here.
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- How To Harvest & Save Bean Seeds
Share your tips for harvesting lettuce seeds in the comments section below!
Print This Guide On How To Harvest Lettuce Seeds
How To Harvest Lettuce Seeds
The best part of harvesting lettuce seeds is that it doesn't take much time, and you don't need any special skills or equipment to get it done! Here's what you'll need and how to do it.
Materials
- Collection container (small bucket, bowl, or paper bag)
Tools
- Precision pruning shears
Instructions
- Choose your collection container – I find it easier to use a small plastic bucket or bowl for harvesting lettuce seeds. But you could certainly use a paper bag or a plastic baggie, if that's what you have on hand.
- Pinch out the cotton puffs – Gently pinch the entire cotton puff between your fingers, and then pull it out. The seeds are attached to the ends of the white stuff, and should come out easily if they are mature.
- Drop the seeds into your container – Carefully drop the seeds into your collection container. Take care not to breathe on them, or move the container too fast, or they could blow away. Repeat with as many of the flowers as you want, until you’ve collected the desired amount of lettuce seeds.
-Optional method: Rather than pinching each flower one by one, sometimes it's easier to clip them off. Use a sharp pair of precision pruners to cut the entire flower head, and drop it into your bucket or bag. - Bring them inside – Take your container or paper bag inside the house to prepare the seeds for storage.
Baby says
Any,
I just planted 2 garbage romaine heads for the first time and one is bolting. After reading this post, I’m very excited to collect seeds for next year. I love experimenting in the garden. My question is; why did one bolt and not the other? They came from the same bag, placed in water for 10 days, transplanted into soil at the same time when they started rooting, and planted in the same place in my garden.
Thank you 😊
Amy Andrychowicz says
It’s normal for lettuce plants to bolt at different times. I’m sure the other one is only a few days or so behind. Then you’ll be able to collect the seeds from both plants! 🙂
Kristen E. says
Thank you for posting about this! I am a brand new gardener trying to learn as much as I can & have enjoyed watching my lettuce bolt. I was wondering how to collect the seeds from it & now I feel pretty confident to try. I think I might have collected the little bulbs too early though, there is just a little of the cottony looking fluff poking out of the top, should I wait longer on the other plants? Should it be opening up? Thank you so much for all your help!!
Amy Andrychowicz says
You’re welcome! When lettuce seeds are ready to harvest, the seed pods will be brown, dry, and brittle, and break open easily. If they are still green and soft, then you harvested them too early. Wait a little longer for the next ones.
Stanton R de Riel says
You can tell which flowers have seeds: they are rounded and firm to a pinch (that’s the seeds inside conferring rigidity). With practice, you can sight through a complete plant bloom head and rapidly select the rounded pods. Only lettuce flowers at the last stages of white-fuzz or older will have viable seeds. Each flower only produces a few seeds though, and they ripen individually over a considerable period, so collecting any large amount is a pain in the neck, because they open out and disperse naturally a short time after ripening. On the plus side, if you leave the ripe pods on a plate inside they will gradually dry out and become easier to roll between the fingers to release the seeds. Before that, the sap is gummy and makes a mess. Interbreeding with wild lettuce relatives, endives, etc. will generate variability in subsequent seedlings; ruthlessly cull those with wild-type (lanceolate, prickly) leaves to assure optimal saved-seed quality.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Awesome, thanks for adding your tips for harvesting lettuce seeds!
Jim Edwards says
I waited for them to head like a dandelion and cut some of them off into a plastic bag, should I have waited until the head becomes brown before I cut hem off? I would like to plant seeds in little containers so that I can give the small plants to friends and neighbors. I have about a dozen lettuce plants that have gone to flowering and then puffing out, but I don’t want to take them too early. Please advise. Should I leave them in the open bag inside the house for awhile till they dry completely. When I cut them the little stem is filled with sticky milky substance, so I think I might have cut them early.
Amy Andrychowicz says
If the lettuce flowers had the white puffy stuff on them, then it might be ok. Break the flower heads apart to see if you can find seeds in there. If the seeds are hard and fall out of the flower head easily, then they should be good. Yes, allow them to dry out before storing them. I recommend removing the lettuce seeds from the flowers, and allowing them to dry out for a week or so. But, definitely take them out of the plastic bag to prevent molding.
Chill says
How do you know if it is a or not and when they bolt is it a separate plant or does it grow from the leaf because I am really confused. Lastly do have to wait all the way to past maturity
Amy Andrychowicz says
When lettuce starts bolting, it will grow taller in the middle, then eventually flower on top. Depending on the plant, they can get to be 3-4 tall when they bloom. So it will be pretty obvious once your plants start bolting. You can continue harvesting from your lettuce plants all the way up until they start bolting. If you want to collect the seeds, then yes, you must wait until they are mature or the seeds won’t be viable.
Stanton R de Riel says
Another thought: domesticated lettuce flowers produce their white fluff, and gradually those pods harden, round out, and may eventually open. Some lettuce plants, with wild-type foliage (highly toothed, leaf blades oriented vertically on the bolting stem), generally open their pods promptly (many pods will be fully “blow-flowered” at the same time). You probably would want to prefer to collect the former, as they represent a more domesticated plant type, (I collect from open-pollinated, seed-saved, plants) and that character will tend to be present in the seedling plants.
Bowen Hu says
When you get the lettuce seeds do you have to wait a while to plant them or can plant them as soon as you get them
Amy Andrychowicz says
You can plant lettuce seeds as soon as you collect them, or save them for next year. I like to spread some of the seeds back into my gardens for a fall harvest.
Stanton R de Riel says
If you do save, after they are thoroughly dry!, store frozen for maximal storage lifetime.
Natlie says
Hi, I’m very very new to gardening, this is my first to growing anything and keeping them alive. But I’m doing it!! 🙂
Just to be clear, I grow my lettuce, when I’m done eating from the plant (meaning all the leaves have been eaten) I allow the plant to stay in my garden? How long will it take the fuzzy cotton like flowers to grow? How long after they grow do I pull the entire plant and remove the seeds from the fizzy head?
Amy Andrychowicz says
It depends on the type of lettuce you’re growing, and the temperature. Lettuce will start to bolt as the temperature warms up in late spring or early summer, and some varieties are faster to bolt than others. Don’t strip all of the leaves from the plant though, just harvest the larger leaves as they are ready, and leave the smallest ones so the plant will continue to grow. Once lettuce starts to bolt, it will become bitter. So, when that happens, stop harvesting from it, and allow it to flower. Just leave it growing in your garden until the flowers have produced seeds (inside the fuzzy heads). After you collect the seeds, then you can pull the plant from your garden.
Stanton R de Riel says
And even when the plant becomes bitter, those alkaloids are possibly related to the soporific (sleep-inducing) known properties of lettuce sap. A thought to chew on!
Kristin says
My mother cut her lettuce plants before they flowered, all the buds are there, tons of tiny balls. Is there any way to collect seeds from this since it never flowered? Or it is a lost cause since she cut it too soon?
Amy Andrychowicz says
If the flowers haven’t opened, then the lettuce seeds probably aren’t mature enough. I would break them open and see if there are any seeds in there. If there are seeds and they aren’t soft, then you could try planting them or perform a seed viability test on them to see if they’re good. Never hurts to try! 🙂
Bowen Hu says
good idea
Stig M. says
I had some lettuce plants bolt last year, but as soon as the seed heads formed they started to sprout mould. As soon as it happened to the first plant I put the rest in the greenhouse, but it still happened. Apparently, if you live in a moist climate, they need to be moved to an air conditioned room.
I also have problems with damping off decease in lettuce seedlings, but never with any other plants.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Are you sure that was mold growth on the seed heads? Because right after lettuce seeds flower, they will form a white cotton at the top of the seeds, similar to a dandelion when the flower goes to seed. That’s a sign that it’s time to harvest the seeds. As for damping off, here’s information about how to disinfect seed trays to prevent it.
Stig M. says
It was grey fuzz growing on everything not green. Not at all like the white cotton on dandelion and other seeds. This year I’m going to try to take them indoors as soon as the flowers start to wilt.
I made a new try sowing seeds a couple of weeks ago using a brand new plastic tray and coconut coir. These are doing much better, so it was probably mold in the dirt or on the pots.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Yes, I think that if you bring the lettuce flowers indoors and then try hanging them upside down, that might just work. Good luck! I hope you’ll get tons of seeds.
Mr. Confused says
Hey, so I’ve looked intensively and I still haven’t been able to clearly understand where do lettuce seeds come from? What I mean is, suppose I buy the seeds and plant them, when the lettuce grows will I be able to get more seeds from that plant? Or do lettuce seeds come from a different plant? In the pictures above are those two different plants? After lots of research I’ve yet to find an image showing both the lettuce & the seeds. I’ve asked an uncle who’s grown lettuce and even he didn’t recall seeing seeds in the plant. Maybe you could help clear this, thanks 🙂
Amy Andrychowicz says
If you allow your lettuce plants to bolt, they will eventually flower. The seeds will form inside the flower heads once the flowers fade. So, the second-to-the-last photo above shows the flowers on a lettuce plant. The flowers with the white puffs and brown heads are filled with seeds that are ready to harvest.
Anonymous says
Do the varieties stay true to the parent?
Amy Andrychowicz says
While lettuce usually self-pollinates, it is possible for it to cross with different varieties. So, if you have lots of different types of lettuce nearby, then they could be cross pollinated – which means that your lettuce may not come true from seed. Hybrids also don’t usually stay true from seed.
Teotwawki Ridge says
I'm glad you did this one on lettuce. We have never let our lettuce go to seed so this year was a first. I'm happy to know that, after reading this, we are doing everything right … so far! =)
Thank you for all your posts I just keep learning and learning … I Love It!
Amy Andrychowicz says
You're welcome! I'm glad this post was so timely for you. Soon you'll have more lettuce seeds than you know what to do with. 🙂
Amy says
How do you stop them from going to seed? My lettuce just bolted…
Amy Andrychowicz says
You can’t stop them from going to seed, it’s a natural part of lettuce plant lifecycle.