Miner’s Lettuce Seeds (Claytonia perfoliata)

Miner’s lettuce is a succulent springtime annual reaching up to about 1-foot in height with interesting paired leaves that conjoin around the stem to resemble saucer-shaped foliage with small white to pink flowers.

More than that, miner’s lettuce is a famed wild vegetable that is easy to grow, easy to identify, and easy to integrate into meals – great raw or cooked -- it is excellent in salads, sandwiches, in miso, or sushi.

While native across western North America (from Canada to Mexico), miner’s lettuce is adaptable as a garden vegetable almost anywhere. In wild settings, it prefers cool, damp locations with fertile soil. It can tolerate full sun in good, damp soil, but it is generally more prolific with some shade, and maintains better flavor. Surprisingly, deer seem to ignore miner’s lettuce in our experience.

Sow miner’s lettuce into forest clearings, or in shady areas of your landscape to create a lush spring groundcover. Or, plant it in the vegetable garden with organic-matter rich soils and ample water. Fall seeding is great for coastal areas and mild climates. In cold climates with prolonged freezing winters, it is best planted in later winter or very early spring to take advantage of some chilling temperatures and snowmelt.

Approximately 400 to 500 seeds (0.25 grams).