'Saladin' Iceberg Lettuce - Lactuca sativa var. capitata

'Saladin' Iceberg Lettuce – robust variety with crisp, light green heads. 

This variety is a compact iceberg lettuce with firm, light green heads and a fresh, savory, crisp flavor. It matures early, is ideally suited for outdoor cultivation, and offers a long harvest period. Robust, high‑yielding, and open‑pollinated - optimal for self‑sufficiency and ecological farming.

  Origin & History

‘Saladin’ is an open‑pollinated iceberg lettuce variety from Europe, first introduced in the 1980s. It was developed within modern breeding programs that specifically selected varieties for summer cultivation - with a particular focus on bolt resistance, heat tolerance, and uniform head formation. As such, it belongs to the modern iceberg lettuce selections created as alternatives to hybrid varieties, distinguished by their robustness and open‑pollinated reproducibility.

‘Saladin’ is part of a European advancement and is considered a proven variety with a long harvest window. It was deliberately introduced as an alternative to the increasingly widespread hybrid cultivars. Its particular strength lies in its ability to form stable heads even under high temperatures, making it a reliable variety for summer cultivation, even in subtropical climates. To this day, ‘Saladin’ is maintained and passed on by ecological seed initiatives. It stands as an exemplar of the importance of freely accessible, non‑patented cultivated varieties in vegetable production and symbolizes the preservation of genetic diversity in open‑pollinated lettuces.

  Appearance & Characteristics

The plant grows compactly in a rosette form and reaches a height of about 20-30 cm. It develops firm, well‑closed heads with a tightly closed underside. It shows high heat tolerance and is briefly frost‑resistant down to about -3 °C.

Head details:

• Size: Medium, approx. 400-600 g per head

• Shape: Round, firm‑closed

• Color: Light green

• Texture: Crisp, juicy

• Flavor: Fresh, savory, mild

 Usage & Cultivation Highlights

The heads are excellent for fresh use as salad, in wraps, sandwiches, and as a crisp side dish. Their mildly sweet, refreshing flavor and crunchy texture make them a true classic of summer cuisine, adding special freshness to dishes. In international cooking, iceberg lettuce such as ‘Saladin’ is often used as a base for bowls and mixed summer salads, as it pairs well with aromatic herbs and dressings. It is also suitable as a decorative base for cold platters or for filling leaves with rice and vegetable variations. Thanks to its long shelf life after harvest, it remains fresh and crisp, making it well suited for summer storage.

With its compact growth and heat tolerance, the variety grows reliably in open field, greenhouse, and especially in containers. It matures early, forms firm, closed heads, and impresses with pronounced bolt resistance. In addition, it is easy to care for, adapts well to different sites, and delivers stable yields even at warmer temperatures. Its light green, crisp heads ripen evenly, making the plant not only a culinary but also a practical enrichment in the garden. Its uniform development allows for staggered harvesting over several weeks, making it particularly suitable for continuous self‑sufficiency. Thanks to its robust nature, it shows good resistance to typical summer problems such as drought stress and remains stable even under changing weather conditions. Its heads are not only high‑yielding but also storable, staying fresh and crisp for longer after harvest.

Compared to other iceberg lettuce varieties, ‘Saladin’ is especially bolt‑resistant, heat‑tolerant, and high‑yielding – ideal for those who appreciate open‑pollinated iceberg lettuce with reliable growth and classic fresh flavor.