Montiaceae
Miner's Lettuce: Ground Cover Plant
Claytonia perfoliata
Give miner's lettuce a shady to partially shaded spot with consistently moist, humus-rich soil and it will largely take care of itself. It is a cool-season annual, so it grows fastest in spring and autumn and tends to bolt and turn bitter once summer heat arrives. Water regularly to keep the soil from drying out, but avoid waterlogging. It needs no feeding, misting, or pruning, and self-seeds so readily that once established it rarely needs replanting.
Every 3 days
Partial shade
5° - 24°C
% - %
Categories
What is Miner's Lettuce?
Miner's Lettuce (Claytonia perfoliata) is a easy-care plant from the Montiaceae family. Miner's lettuce is a low-growing, succulent-leaved annual native to the woodlands and shady slopes of western North America, from British Columbia south to California and Mexico. Its most distinctive feature is the round, saucer-like leaf that appears to be pierced by the flower stem, holding tiny c...
Miner's Lettuce grows up to 30cm, spread of 30cm, watering every 3 days, 5°C – 24°C. It is not suitable for indoor environments and safe for pets.
Unlike many tropical plants, Miner's Lettuce tolerates watering mistakes. Best for beginners. Unlike many popular species, Miner's Lettuce is safe to keep around pets.
How to Care for Miner's Lettuce?
TLDR: Miner's Lettuce needs Partial shade, watering every 3 days, and temperatures between 5-24°C with 40-70% humidity.
How Often Should You Water Miner's Lettuce?
Keep the soil evenly moist at all times, watering every 2-3 days (more often in hot or dry weather). Miner's lettuce has shallow, succulent roots that stress quickly if the soil dries out, but soggy, waterlogged soil invites root rot, so make sure drainage is adequate.
How Much Light Does Miner's Lettuce Need?
Best in partial to full shade, such as under trees or on the shaded side of a garden bed. It tolerates full sun in cool climates or during cooler months, but direct summer sun causes it to bolt and turn bitter faster.
What Is the Best Soil for Miner's Lettuce?
Prefers moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (around 6.0-7.5), but is adaptable to sandy, loamy, clay, or even chalky soils as long as moisture is consistent.
What Pot Should You Use for Miner's Lettuce?
If grown in a container, choose a wide, shallow pot with generous drainage holes to accommodate its shallow root system, and keep it in a shaded spot where the soil can be kept consistently moist without becoming waterlogged.
What Is Miner's Lettuce and Where Does It Come From?
Miner's lettuce is a low-growing, succulent-leaved annual native to the woodlands and shady slopes of western North America, from British Columbia south to California and Mexico. Its most distinctive feature is the round, saucer-like leaf that appears to be pierced by the flower stem, holding tiny clusters of white, five-petaled flowers above it. The plant earned its common name during the California Gold Rush, when miners ate its vitamin C-rich leaves to prevent scurvy. Fast-growing and freely self-seeding, it thrives in cool, damp, shady spots and is equally at home naturalized in a woodland garden or grown as an early-season salad crop.
How Big Does Miner's Lettuce Grow?
TLDR: Miner's Lettuce can reach up to 30cm tall with Fast growth rate.
Max height
30cm
Spread
30cm
Growth rate
Fast
Foliage
Deciduous
Plant Uses
Edible
Can be consumed
Medicinal
Medicinal properties
Ground Cover
Soil coverage
Medicinal Uses
- High in vitamin C; historically used to prevent scurvy
- Mild laxative and diuretic properties
- Used as a spring tonic in folk herbalism
- Poultice applied to rheumatic joints
Culinary Uses
- Young leaves and stems eaten raw in salads with a mild, slightly succulent texture
- Can be lightly steamed or sauteed like spinach
- Flowers are edible and used as a garnish
- Older leaves become bitter and are best cooked
Is your plant showing symptoms?
Click on the symptom to discover possible causes:
What Diseases Commonly Affect Miner's Lettuce?
TLDR: Miner's Lettuce is susceptible to 3 known diseases. Monitor regularly for early detection.
Downy Mildew
Downy mildew is a fungal-like disease caused by oomycetes (water molds) that thrives in cool, wet conditions. It affects a wide range of plants, causing yellowing leaves with fuzzy white-gray growth underneath, leading to defoliation and reduced yields if left untreated.
Aphids
Aphids are small, soft-bodied, pear-shaped insects (1/16 to 1/8 inch long) that feed by sucking nutrient-rich sap from plants. They reproduce rapidly and can quickly weaken plants, causing distorted growth and transmitting plant viruses. Aphids come in various colors including green, black, red, yellow, brown, and gray. They secrete honeydew, a sticky substance that attracts ants and encourages sooty mold growth.
Slugs and Snails
Slugs and snails are mollusks that feed on plant tissue, causing irregular holes in leaves and damage to young seedlings. They are most active at night and in moist conditions, leaving characteristic silvery slime trails. These pests can quickly devastate gardens, especially during wet seasons.
Meaning & Symbolism
Named for the California Gold Rush miners who relied on its vitamin C-rich leaves to stave off scurvy, miner's lettuce symbolizes resourcefulness, resilience, and nourishment found in unexpected places.
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Field Maple | Easy | Bright indirect | 14d | ✓ |
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| Common Blanketflower | Easy | Direct sun | 10d | ✓ |
| Cushion Bush | Easy | Direct sun | 14d | ✓ |
