A fresh salad featuring vegetables from your garden will always taste better than anything store-bought. Grocery greens lose crispness quickly, after harvesting. Best of all, choosing fast-growing leafy greens allows you to harvest veggies in just a few weeks.
Enjoy continuous harvests all season long by choosing the right fast-growing leafy greens. Whether you’ve got a raised bed, a few pots on the patio, or a tucked-away corner in the backyard, these compact crops don’t need much space to shine. And while growing at home doesn’t automatically mean pesticide-free, it does give you full control over how your food is grown—right down to the soil and the spray bottle.
Let’s dig into the best leafy greens to plant right now for quick, tasty returns.
1. Leaf Lettuce: A Cut-and-Come-Again Favorite
Leaf lettuce is one of the easiest crops to grow. Unlike head lettuce, it lets you harvest the outer leaves and leave the rest of the plant to produce more.
Why Grow Leaf Lettuce?
- Harvest in just 30 days – Perfect for gardeners who want quick results.
- Regrows after cutting – You can harvest multiple times from a single plant.
- Thrives in containers – Ideal for patios, balconies, or raised beds.
Lettuce is one of the quickest and easiest leafy greens you can grow—perfect for gardeners craving fast results and fresh crunch. For variety (and a prettier salad bowl), try mixing different types. Popular picks include Black-Seeded Simpson, Red Sails, and Oakleaf, each offering a unique texture and flavor. Want a deeper dive into lettuce-growing know-how? Learn more about growing lettuce from the University of Minnesota Extension.
2. Spinach: The Nutrient-Rich Superfood
Spinach is packed with vitamins and minerals, making it one of the healthiest choices you can grow at home. But its benefits don’t stop at nutrition—it’s also a cool-season crop that thrives when temperatures dip. In addition to that, it has quick maturity, and you’ve got a leafy green that pays off fast without much fuss.
Why Grow Spinach?
- Ready in 4 to 6 weeks – Quick-growing and productive.
- Loaded with nutrients – High in iron, calcium, and antioxidants.
- Tolerates partial shade – Adapts well to different environments, including shaded gardens.
Because spinach is sensitive to heat, it’s best to plant in early spring or fall. Picking the outer leaves for ongoing harvests lets the plant continue growing. Top varieties include Bloomsdale, Baby’s Leaf, and Space.
3. Arugula: A Peppery Addition to Any Salad
For those who enjoy bold flavors, arugula is an excellent choice for your next crop. It grows rapidly and thrives in cool temperatures.
Why Grow Arugula?
- Harvestable in only 20 days – One of the quickest-growing salad greens.
- Unique flavor – The nutty, peppery taste enhances mixed salads.
- Regrows after cutting – Frequent harvesting encourages new growth.
Arugula thrives best in early spring and fall. Since it bolts quickly in heat, plant successions every few weeks to ensure a steady supply. For a milder-tasting variety, harvest baby arugula leaves before they mature.
4. Radish Tops: A Bonus Harvest
Many people grow radishes for their crunchy roots, but the leaves are also edible. Radish greens have a mild, slightly peppery flavor that works well in salads.
Why Grow Radish Greens?
- Harvest in just 2 to 3 weeks – Perfect for quick meals.
- Dual-purpose plant – Provides both edible roots and leaves.
- Grows in small spaces – Requires minimal garden space.
If you want radish greens to stay tender and tasty, timing is everything—harvest them while they’re still young. Their peppery bite can be a bit bold, so for a well-rounded salad, try blending them with milder greens like lettuce or spinach. Certain varieties, like French Breakfast and Cherry Belle, are known for producing especially tender leaves, making them a top choice for both root and greens lovers.
5. Mustard Leaves: A Bold and Tangy Choice
Mustard develops quickly and tolerates light frost, which makes it a candidate for early planting. When used for food, mustard leaves add a slightly spicy flavor to any salad.
Why Grow Mustard Greens?
- Ready in 30 to 40 days – Grows fast without much effort.
- Nutrient-dense – Rich in vitamins A, C, and K.
- Thrives in various conditions – Tolerates different soil types and temperatures.
If you prefer a milder taste for your dishes, pick the younger leaves as larger, mature ones have more intense flavors. To balance the spice level, mix mustard leaves with other mild salad greens. Popular varieties include Mizuna, Red Giant, and Southern Giant Curled.
6. Bok Choy: Crisp and Mildly Sweet
Bok choy, also called pak choi, produces crunchy, flavorful leaves. While often used in stir-fries, baby bok choy varieties work well in fresh salads.
Why Grow Bok Choy?
- Mature in 30 to 50 days – Harvest early if you want milder baby leaves.
- Prefers cool temperatures – Grows best in spring and fall.
- Tolerates light shade – Works well in mixed garden beds.
Bok choy is a fast grower, and the more you harvest, the more it gives back—snipping outer leaves encourages fresh new growth. For the best texture and flavor, consider planting baby varieties like Shanghai, with smooth, spoon-shaped leaves and pale green, especially tender stems. Another excellent choice is Joi Choi, prized for its crisp white stalks and slightly sturdier texture, making it great for stir-fries.
Enjoy Fresh Salads with Fast-Growing Leafy Greens
Enjoy crisp, homegrown salads in no time by planting leafy greens that go from seed to plate in just a few weeks. Quick growers like leaf lettuce, spinach, and arugula offer repeated harvests throughout the season with minimal fuss. To mix things up, add in mustard greens for a peppery kick, radish tops for their surprisingly tender bite, and bok choy for its juicy stems and mild flavor. With consistent moisture and a bit of afternoon shade, these compact crops grow beautifully in raised beds, deep containers, or any sunny corner of the yard.
Which fast-growing leafy greens do you love growing? Tell us in the comments!
FAQs
1. How often should I harvest salad leaves?
Most fast-growing leafy greens can be harvested multiple times using the cut-and-come-again method. Trim outer leaves while allowing the plant to keep growing.
2. Can I grow salad crops indoors?
Yes! Many leafy vegetables, including lettuce, spinach, and arugula, thrive indoors with proper light. A sunny window or grow lights work best.
3. What type of soil do fast-growing salad plants need?
Well-draining, nutrient-rich soil with added compost helps these plants grow quickly and maintain their flavor.
4. How can I stop leafy crops from bolting?
To delay bolting, keep soil consistently moist, plant in cooler seasons, and harvest frequently. Some varieties are bred to resist early flowering.
5. Do salad crops need full sun?
Most fast-growing leafy greens thrive in full sun but tolerate partial shade. Providing afternoon shade in warm climates helps prevent stress.
