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Tree lettuce is a tall, hardy green that can grow up to 2 metres and keeps coming back if you cut it down. It thrives in hot, humid weather when regular lettuce sulks, making it a special survival green for warm climates.
Categories: Mulch plants, Pot and container plants, Salad leaves, Stir-fry plants
Description & Additional information
Botanical name: Lactuca indica
Some other names: Indian lettuce, Chinese sword lettuce, Timor lettuce
How to Grow It
Tree lettuce is technically an annual, but if you cut it back hard it behaves like a short-lived perennial and will regrow from the base. It can shoot up to 2 metres tall with long, upright leaves and hollow stems, giving it a bit of a “mini tree” look in the garden.
Climate: Best suited to subtropical and tropical regions, but it will also grow in warm temperate climates through summer.
Sun & shade: Handles full sun or part shade – leaves are more tender and less bitter in partial shade.
Soil & water: Will happily grow in ordinary soil but thrives with compost, manure, and regular moisture. It’s not fussy – I’ve seen it flourish even when neglected – but better soil means better-tasting leaves.
Seasons: In the tropics it can grow almost year-round, but in cooler areas, treat it as a warm-season plant.
Propagation: Tree lettuce self-seeds enthusiastically – sometimes too enthusiastically! It will pop up around the garden like a “friendly weed.” You can also collect seed after flowering or take tip cuttings.
Containers: Grows well in large pots, but be prepared to prune – it can get very tall and will benefit from being cut back regularly.
Tip: Keep a few plants in different spots (some in sun, some in shade) – you’ll have tender leaves almost year-round.
Herbal & Nutrient Value
Tree lettuce isn’t just another leafy green – it’s solid nutritionally as well.
High in vitamins A, B, & C – for immunity, energy, and healthy skin.
Good levels of calcium & iron – for bones and blood.
Contains protein – unusual for a leafy green.
Medicinally, tree lettuce contains lactucarium – sometimes called “lettuce opium.” This is a mild sedative compound traditionally used to calm nerves, soothe anxiety, and even help with sleep. The slightly bitter taste also makes it a liver tonic – bitters are known to help digestion and detoxification.
Traditional & Home Remedies
Sedative infusion: Steep flowering tops or mature leaves in hot water, cool, strain; sip before bed for relaxation.
Lactucarium tincture: Collect latex sap, partially dry, dissolve in alcohol; dosed sparingly as sleep aid.
Digestive tea: Fresh or dried leaves steeped and cooled; drink after meals to ease digestion.
Poultice for pain: Crush leaves and apply to sore joints or minor wounds for anti-inflammatory relief.
Cough syrup: Infuse leaves with honey; take small doses orally for cough or throat irritation.
Using It in the Kitchen
Tree lettuce is incredibly versatile.
Young leaves: Tender, mild, and slightly bitter – great raw in salads and sandwiches.
Older leaves: Stronger in flavour – best cooked (stir-fries, soups, casseroles) to mellow the bitterness.
Stems: Peel the outer layer and you’ll find a crisp, juicy core that can be stir-fried or braised – almost like celery meets asparagus.
Storage tip: Best used fresh, but you can store picked leaves in a sealed bag in the fridge for 2–3 days.
Simple recipe ideas
– Asian-Style Stir-Fry: Toss chopped stems and older leaves with garlic, soy sauce, and a splash of sesame oil.
– Tree Lettuce & Egg Omelette: Add finely sliced young leaves to whisked eggs for a green-packed breakfast.
– Bitter Green Soup: Simmer older leaves with miso, ginger, and tofu for a cleansing soup.
– Garden Wraps: Use large young leaves instead of tortillas to wrap rice, veggies, or even cooked meats.
– Quick Pickled Stems: Peel stems, slice thinly, and pickle in vinegar, sugar, and chilli for a crunchy condiment.
Other Uses
Animal fodder: Chickens, goats, and rabbits will happily eat cut-back stems and leaves.
Mulch maker: It grows so fast you can “chop and drop” for instant, nitrogen-rich mulch.
Ornamental filler: Its tall, upright habit makes it useful as a backdrop in garden beds.
Why it’s a survival plant:
Tree lettuce is terrifically hardy, keeps producing when other lettuces wilt, and offers leaves, stems, and even mulch from one plant. For warm-climate gardeners, it’s a reliable, no-fuss green that earns its keep year after year.
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