Description
Leaves of deertongue have a distinctive, elongated shape, and a tasty, sharp flavor.
An Amish heirloom lettuce known for its vigor and for its ability to withstand adverse conditions. Leaves have a distinctive, elongated shape, and a tasty, sharp flavor.
Amish Deer Tongue also performs well as a cut and grow lettuce, where leaves can be harvested throughout a longer growing season while allowing the plant to keep producing. A looseleaf type.Best grown in medium moisture, well-drained, alkaline to slightly acidic soils in part shade to full shade. Thrives in humusy, limestone soils. Needs superior soil drainage to avoid root rot.Plant Specifications
| Common Name | Amish Deer Tongue,Lactuca sativa,Amish heirloom lettuce |
| Maximum Reachable Height | 1.00 to 1.50 feet |
| Flower Colour | White; Cream; Pink; Red; Bronze; Orange |
| Bloom Time | Non-flowering |
| Difficulty Level | easy to grow |
Planting and care
Typically, Amish deer tongue Leaf lettuce is normally fairly low maintenance and can thus be quite easy to grow - only a basic level of care is required throughout the year to ensure it thrives. Being aware of the basic growing conditions this plant likes (soil, sun and water) will result in a strong and vibrant plant.
Deertongue care
Lettuce seeds are usually quite easy to sprout. Both the seeds and plants do best in slightly cooler weather, so plan on planting seeds when soil temperatures are below 70F.
1) Sowing seeds. Lettuce is amenable to direct sowing in the ground, but take care to protect for garden pests which will quickly eat or destroy a fragile seedling. For sprouting in containers, choose small containers or flats and plant seeds 1/4-1/2 deep in loose, well-draining soil. Soil temperature should be kept at 60-70F. Soil temperatures higher than 70F can inhibit germination and temperatures below 50F may do the same. If conditions are too warm but sprouting seeds is still desired, a trick is to put seeds in a wet paper towel, inside a ziplock bag. Put the bag into the refrigerator for 2-3 days then take the seeds out and sow. Properly sown seeds will generally germinate in 7-14 days.
2) Transplant/thinning. For direct sown seeds, thin seedlings to 8-12 apart, with rows up to 2-3 apart, to give mature plants room to spread out. For container sown seeds, wait until a few true leaves have developed and carefully transplant to desired location. If sprouted indoors, make sure to harden off seedlings for 3-5 days prior to transplanting. To harden off, move seedlings to a filtered light location outdoors where they can slowly adapt to sunlight and outdoor conditions.
3) Culture. Lettuce needs regular watering. Plants will grow best in loose, well-drained soils. Lettuce is very susceptible to nibbling by garden pests, particularly slugs and snails. Make sure to have proper slug barriers in place if slugs are a problem in your garden. Seeds can usually be stored for a minimum of three yea
| Sunlight | Full Sun to Partial Shade |
| Watering | medium |
| Soil | well-drained soil |
| Temperature | below 70F. |
| Fertilizer | Apply any organic fertilizer |
Deertongue special feature
Woodland gardens and shade gardens. Good selection for shady areas of limestone rock gardens.
Deertongue uses
Ornamental Use:
- The plant is used for ornamental purpose
Medicinal Use:
- Deertongue contains coumarins, chemicals that may thin the blood and cause liver damage
- It is not known how deertongue might work as a medicine