Lactuca sativa var. angustana seed | Asparagus Lettuce, Celtuce

LATIN NAME: Lactuca sativa var. angustana COMMON NAME: Asparagus Lettuce, Celtuce

Botanical Profile

Asparagus lettuce, also known as celtuce, is a distinct cultivated form of common lettuce grown not primarily for its leaves but for its thick, elongated central stem, which swells dramatically as the plant matures, quite unlike the leafy or head-forming lettuce types most gardeners are familiar with. Its name reflects the vegetable’s dual character, combining lettuce ancestry with a crisp, mild flavour and texture often compared to asparagus or water chestnut once the stem is peeled and cooked.

Science & Conservation

Celtuce has long been a specialty crop within Chinese vegetable agriculture, and comparative genetic studies of lettuce cultivar diversity have examined how stem-forming types like this one diverged from the more familiar leaf and head lettuce varieties grown for salad greens, offering insight into the surprising range of forms cultivated within a single lettuce species. Culinary research has also documented its traditional preparation methods across regional Chinese cuisine, where the stem is typically peeled and either stir-fried or eaten raw in salads.

Landscape & Practical Uses

The thick, peeled stem of asparagus lettuce is a popular vegetable across Chinese cuisine, valued for its crisp texture and mild, refreshing flavour whether stir-fried, added to soups, or thinly sliced raw into salads, while the plant’s leaves can also be eaten young, similar to loose-leaf lettuce. Its distinctive dual-purpose nature makes it an interesting, less common addition to a home vegetable garden.

Growing From Seed

Sow the seed into a loose, well-drained mix at a shallow depth, keeping it consistently moist until germination is complete. Cool weather suits this crop well, similar to other lettuce types, and the characteristic thick stem develops as the plant matures, ready for harvest once it reaches a good, substantial size before the plant bolts to flower.

Our Take

We think this is one of the more underrated vegetables in our catalogue for adventurous home gardeners – it takes up the same space as a lettuce but rewards you with a genuinely different vegetable, and we would encourage anyone bored of regular lettuce to give it a try.

Vegetable Seeds / Vegetable