Non-Pelleted Lettuce Varieties for Microgreens and Baby Leaf Production

Non-pelleted seed is the go-to choice for microgreen and baby leaf production. The smaller, natural seed size allows for high-density seeding, faster germination, and more uniform coverage across trays and channels. Here's our breakdown of the best non-pelleted lettuce varieties available from Paramount Seeds for these high-turnover formats.

Why Non-Pelleted Seed for Microgreens and Baby Leaf?

Pelleted seed is ideal for precision transplanting in full-head hydroponic systems, but for microgreens and baby leaf production, non-pelleted seed offers key advantages:

• Higher seeding density — natural seed size allows tight, even coverage across trays
• Faster germination — no clay coating to slow moisture uptake
• Lower cost per tray — non-pelleted seed is typically more economical at scale
• Better suited to broadcast seeding — ideal for soil trays, foam mats, and burlap systems

Tango Green Lettuce

Tango Green Lettuce (Non-Pelleted) — Shop Now
A classic baby leaf and microgreen variety. Tango Green produces deeply serrated, bright green leaves with excellent texture and visual appeal. Fast-growing and reliable, it's a staple in mixed baby leaf blends and standalone microgreen trays. Its distinctive frilly leaf shape adds visual interest to any mix.

Tango Red Lettuce

Tango Red Lettuce (Non-Pelleted) — Shop Now
The red counterpart to Tango Green, with the same deeply cut leaf shape but rich burgundy-red color. An excellent addition to multicolor baby leaf mixes, providing strong color contrast alongside green varieties. Consistent germination and vigorous early growth make it a reliable choice for high-turnover production.

Green Oakleaf Lettuce

Green Oakleaf Lettuce (Non-Pelleted) — Shop Now
A versatile green oakleaf well suited to both baby leaf and microgreen production. Produces lobed, tender leaves with a mild flavor and attractive shape. A reliable performer in high-density seeding systems, and a natural complement to red varieties in mixed baby leaf blends.

Buttercrunch Lettuce

Buttercrunch Lettuce (Non-Pelleted) — Shop Now
A soft, tender butterhead type well suited to baby leaf harvest at the cotyledon or first true leaf stage. Buttercrunch produces smooth, rounded leaves with a mild, buttery flavor — a favorite for premium baby leaf mixes targeting restaurants and specialty retail. Slow to bolt, giving a wider harvest window.

Bergam's Green Leaf Lettuce

Bergam's Green Leaf Lettuce (Non-Pelleted) — Shop Now
A vigorous green leaf variety with broad, slightly ruffled leaves. Bergam's Green is a strong performer in baby leaf production, offering high yield and good uniformity. Its mild flavor and attractive leaf shape make it a versatile base for mixed baby leaf blends.

Freckles Lettuce

Freckles Lettuce (Non-Pelleted) — Shop Now
A visually distinctive romaine-type with green leaves splashed with red spots — a standout in any baby leaf mix. Freckles adds unique color and pattern variation that commands attention at farmers markets and specialty retail. Good bolt tolerance and reliable germination.

Muir Greenleaf Lettuce (Batavia)

Muir Greenleaf Lettuce / Batavia (Non-Pelleted) — Shop Now
A Batavia-type greenleaf with crisp texture and good heat tolerance. Muir performs well in baby leaf production, offering a slightly more structured leaf than softer butterhead types. Good for growers looking to add textural variety to their baby leaf lineup.

Sweet Lettuce Mixture

Sweet Lettuce Mixture (Raw Seed) — Shop Now
A pre-blended mix of mild, sweet lettuce varieties designed for baby leaf and cut-and-come-again production. Ideal for growers targeting restaurants, meal kits, and retail customers who prefer a gentle, crowd-pleasing flavor profile. Broadcast seed directly into trays or channels for a ready-to-harvest blend.

Spicy Lettuce Mixture

Spicy Lettuce Mixture (Raw Seed) — Shop Now
A bold blend of peppery and spicy greens for growers targeting chefs, specialty retailers, and adventurous consumers. Adds heat and complexity to baby leaf mixes and microgreen trays. A strong differentiator at farmers markets and in restaurant supply accounts where flavor variety is valued.

Mesclun Gourmet Greens Mix

Mesclun Gourmet Greens Mix (Non-Pelleted) — Shop Now
A pre-blended mix of complementary greens designed for broadcast seeding and cut-and-come-again baby leaf production. Ideal for growers who want a ready-to-sow blend with built-in color and texture variety. Suited to soil trays, foam mats, and outdoor row production.

Choosing the Right Variety for Your Format

Variety	Best Format	Key Attribute
Tango Green	Microgreens, baby leaf mix	Frilly texture, fast growth
Tango Red	Baby leaf mix, color contrast	Deep red, high visual impact
Green Oakleaf	Baby leaf, microgreens	Lobed leaf, mild flavor
Buttercrunch	Premium baby leaf	Mild flavor, tender texture
Bergam's Green	Baby leaf blend base	High yield, good uniformity
Freckles	Specialty baby leaf, farmers market	Unique spotted pattern
Muir Greenleaf	Baby leaf, textural variety	Crisp Batavia texture
Sweet Lettuce Mix	Baby leaf, cut-and-come-again	Mild, crowd-pleasing blend
Spicy Lettuce Mix	Specialty baby leaf, chefs	Bold, peppery flavor blend
Mesclun Mix	Broadcast seeding, cut-and-come-again	Ready-to-sow gourmet blend

Ready to Order?

Browse our full Baby Leaf & Microgreen Varieties collection or contact us to get help selecting the right varieties for your operation.