Knowledge Sharing - 18-11-2025
Floating Farms - The Rise of Hydroponics: Part 3
Lettuce has a fascinating history that stretches back to ancient Egypt, where it was first cultivated. From there, it spread through the Greek and Roman empires, evolving into various varieties and even gaining a reputation for medicinal properties. By the Middle Ages, lettuce had become a staple across Europe. Today, it remains one of the most widely consumed vegetables worldwide - an essential ingredient in healthy, fresh diets.
Why Leaf Type Matters in Hydroponics
When selecting lettuce for hydroponic production, consider two key questions:
Will it meet your customers’ needs?
Will it work profitably in your system?
For example, Iceberg lettuce is typically grown outdoors on a large scale, making it less suitable for high-tech hydroponics. In contrast, innovative types like Crystal lettuce thrive in hydroponic systems, offering consistent quality and efficiency. These premium varieties not only thrive in controlled environments, but also deliver added value throughout the supply chain, enabling growers to command higher prices and differentiate their offering.
Leaf types differ in shape, color, growth habit, and texture - all critical factors when planning your crop.
Salanova® Lettuce: A Game-Changer
Salanova®, a brand by Rijk Zwaan, has transformed the fresh-cut salad market. Perfect for hydroponics, Salanova® offers a wide range of leaf types - from soft butter to crunchy crispy - in both red and green. Its unique “one cut, ready” feature produces numerous baby-sized leaves, three to four times more than standard lettuce. This makes Salanova® ideal for whole-head sales or high-density planting.
Popular Leaf Types for Hydroponics
Soft, smooth, and mildly sweet, butter lettuce is perfect for whole-head production.
Salanova® options: Euler RZ, Gibbard RZ (great for loose-leaf mixes)
Known as Apollo lettuce in the UK, this crunchy type has deeply lobed edges and works well in mixed salads or sandwiches.
Examples: Salanova® Exwink RZ, Audex RZ
Lolla Bionda/Rossa (Coral Lettuce)
Frilly, ruffled leaves in green (Bionda) or red (Rossa). Great for salad trios.
Examples: Lamarre RZ (green), Coratine RZ (red)
Loose-leaf type with oak-shaped leaves and mild flavor. Perfect for mixes and trios.
Example: Salanova® Vespucci RZ Knox, Xodos RZ
Upright, sturdy leaves with a crunchy texture and slightly bitter taste. Open-headed types suit hydroponics. Sold as whole heads or for processing.
Example: Rabello RZ
A hybrid of Iceberg and Cos - sweet yet crisp. Popular for whole heads and processing.
Example: Neurita RZ
Small, oblong heads with a sweet, nutty flavor.
Example: Salanova® Kobuka RZ (offers loose leaves with Gem taste and texture)
An open Iceberg type with robust, frilled leaves and excellent flavor. Highly tolerant to acidic and hot ingredients, making it ideal for sandwiches and burgers.
Example: Hydrolique RZ (can be grown at high density for smaller leaves), Sungari RZ
Salanova® Teen Leaf
A spin-off from Salanova®, Teen Leaf is designed for high-density (54 plants per square metre), mechanical harvesting. It delivers strong, colorful leaves for the one-cut market, enabling growers to create blends like:
Sweet & Crunchy
Mild & Colorful
Bold & Delicate
Final Thoughts
Understanding lettuce types and their hydroponic suitability helps you meet customer expectations while maximizing profitability. Whether you choose Salanova® for convenience or Crystal for versatility, selecting the right leaf type is key to success in modern hydroponic production.
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