- 1). Purchase a container for growing butter leaf lettuce that is at least 12 inches wide and 8 inches deep. Butter leaf lettuce grows to a width of about 8 inches and has a root depth of 6 to 8 inches. Most people plant more than one plant, so buy a container of an appropriate size for the number of plants you would like to grow.
- 2). Prepare to plant lettuce when the outdoor temperature is at least 45 degrees F. Lettuce can tolerate a light freeze but not long periods of freezing temperatures. The best growing conditions for lettuce are daytime temperatures of between 60 and 70 degrees F and at least 5 hours of direct sunlight each day.
- 3). Fill the container with a good quality potting soil mixed with compost. The growing mix should be one part compost to three parts potting soil. Leave one inch of space between the soil and the top of the container so the soil does not wash out during the frequent watering required for growing lettuce.
- 4). Plant lettuce seed by pressing it into the top of the planting mix. The seed should not be planted deeper than 1/4-inch deep. Although the plants are thinned to 8 inches apart to allow them to grow to full size, you can plant more seeds and eat the small plants you remove as you thin the plants.
- 5). Water the lettuce plants as often as needed to keep the soil moist, but not waterlogged, during the growing process. The lettuce will rot in waterlogged soil. However, do not let the lettuce wilt, or the taste will become bitter.
- 6). Fertilize every 7 days with a water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half strength. Apply the fertilizer around the roots of the plant. Do not allow the fertilizer to get on the lettuce plants. Always water thoroughly before adding fertilizer.
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