Miner's lettuce (Claytonia perfoliata)
Care, watering, light and tips for Miner's lettuce on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Montiaceae
- Difficulty: Easy to care for
- Watering: every 3 days
- Light: Partial shade
- Temperature: 10–30 °C
About Miner's lettuce
Claytonia perfoliata, commonly known as Miner's Lettuce, is an edible annual plant belonging to the Montiaceae family, native to western North America. It is characterized by its round, fleshy leaves that appear to encircle the flower stem, and its small white flowers. It's ideal for partial shade gardens, low-maintenance vegetable patches, or as an edible groundcover.
Native range
Western North America, from British Columbia to Southern California and Arizona.
Care tips
This plant thrives in partial shade or filtered sun, though it can tolerate more sun if the soil is kept moist. It prefers regular watering to keep the substrate consistently damp, especially during dry spells, but avoid waterlogging. The ideal substrate is rich in organic matter and well-drained. A common mistake is planting it in full sun without sufficient moisture, which can cause it to bolt and the leaves to become bitter quickly.
How to save a dying Miner's lettuce
- Warning signs
- Pale, yellowing, or wilting leaves. Slow or no growth. Presence of small pests.
- First aid
- Move to a cool, shaded spot. Water gently if soil is dry. Check for aphids or slugs.
- What kills it
- Excessive direct sun and heat. Lack of soil moisture. Overly compacted soil.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, it's quite resilient. Act quickly with shade and watering. Can regrow if base is healthy.