Growing Corn Salad, also Lamb's lettuce or Mache

Valerianella locusta : Caprifoliaceae / the honeysuckle family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
      P P              

(Best months for growing Corn Salad in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions)

  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 10°C and 20°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 10 - 15 cm apart
  • Harvest in 5-8 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Onions
  • Young corn salad

Like lettuce in appearance and use, however Corn Salad (Lamb's lettuce) is hardier.

Not suitable for growing in warm areas.

Grow quickly with a well enriched soil and keep watered - adding nitrogen every two weeks.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Corn Salad

Pick individual leaves or harvest the whole plant as required.

Your comments and tips

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22 Mar 20, Christina (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I got Koanga (Wairoa) cornsalad seeds from Commonsense Organics in Wellington
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19 May 19, Ame (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Kings Seeds have corn salad, and also a winter mesclun mix which is good for cool planting
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02 May 19, Diane Francis (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Where can I buy lambs lettuce in Auckland, or can I buy it from you?
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02 May 19, Liz at Gardenate (New Zealand - temperate climate)
We do not sell seeds or plants through Gardenate. You could try Egmonts.co.nz for seeds.
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09 Mar 19, Jes (New Zealand - temperate climate)
In the comments about corn salad (valerianella locusta) it was recommended "Not suitable for growing in warm areas." We came across it in southern italy and sicily where it was a staple in supermakets in Autumn (we visited Oct-Nov). Sicily is pretty warm! We are in Northland and will try some as an alternative winter salad.
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01 Dec 18, Stephanie Lovatt (New Zealand - temperate climate)
For on-going winter greens, let your corn salad go to seed each year. Free fresh greens in winter.
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02 Dec 18, Mike (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I left a Honi Tsai Tai plant go to seed - loved watching the bees come each morning for the flowers as I had my cup of tea each morning. When finished I threw it under the mango tree. I have had 2 big flushes (dozens of plants) of seedlings come up in the last 6 weeks. I find it hard to germinate the seeds but under the mango heaps.
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22 Aug 18, Pamela Dawson (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Are seeds for corn salad plants readily available in nurseries - first I have heard of it from a friend and would like to try growing some. If available what is it known as on the seed packet.
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22 Aug 18, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Pam, you can buy corn salad seeds from online suppliers, like Egmont Seeds.
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