How to Store Lettuce
Lettuce is a cold, moist storage crop that is best used quickly. Clean handling and moisture control are more important than long holding time.
Best storage conditions
Store lettuce at 32 to 36 F. Very high humidity, around 95 percent, helps keep leaves crisp. Refrigeration is recommended, ideally in the crisper drawer. Do not store lettuce at room temperature except very briefly.
How long it keeps
Most lettuce keeps about 5 to 10 days, though sturdy romaine and some leaf types may last a bit longer than tender heads. Once leaves wilt or show slime, quality drops fast.
Storage methods
Wash only if needed, then dry thoroughly before storage because free water encourages decay. Wrap or bag lettuce loosely so humidity stays high but excess moisture can escape. A refrigerator is the standard method, while pantry or cellar storage is not suitable. No curing is involved.
Freezing & preserving
Lettuce is not a good candidate for freezing, canning, or drying for later table use. For extra harvest, the best preservation approach is usually to share, use promptly, or grow succession plantings rather than store long term.
Tips
Keep lettuce away from apples, pears, tomatoes, and other ethylene producing fruits. Remove damaged outer leaves and use cut or torn leaves first.
General home-storage guidance. For home canning and preserving safety, follow USDA and National Center for Home Food Preservation (NCHFP) guidelines. Page updated Aug 4, 2026.