Lactuca virosa (Opium Lettuce) Plant

Description

Lactuca virosa, commonly known as Opium Lettuce, (though it contains no opiates) is a biennial plant in the daisy family (Asteraceae) native to Europe and parts of Asia, but it now grows in many regions worldwide, including North America and Australia. It’s closely related to the cultivated lettuce (Lactuca sativa), but is known for its milky white sap (latex), which contains compounds with mild sedative and analgesic effects.

Opium Lettuce can grow up to 1.5–2 metres tall, with a stout, hollow stem that often has a purple tint. Its leaves are large, deeply lobed, and sometimes spiny along the edges and underside. In summer, it produces small yellow flowers similar to those of dandelions, followed by fluffy seed heads dispersed by the wind. When the plant is cut, it exudes a milky latex—this substance is called lactucarium and is responsible for many of the plant’s traditional uses.

The two main active compounds responsible for wild lettuce’s sedative effects are Lactucin and Lactucopicrin.

Historically, opium lettuce has been used for its sedative and pain-relieving properties. It was often brewed into teas or tinctures to induce relaxation and relieve pain, though caution is advised due to its potency. Today, opium lettuce extracts are sometimes used for relaxation and sleep support, though research on its efficacy and safety is limited.

The dried latex has been used in herbal medicine to:

• Promote relaxation and sleep

• Ease pain and muscle tension

• Reduce restlessness or anxiety

• Relieve coughs and bronchial irritation

• Common name.

Wild Lettuce; Bitter lettuce; Laitue vireuse; Poisonous Lettuce; Tall Lettuce; Rakutu-Karyumu-So.

• Specifications.

50mm Pot Size
Seed Grown Plant

Ideal Growing Conditions.

Lactuca virosa grows best in well-drained soils and sunny to partly shaded areas. It thrives in disturbed ground, roadsides, and field edges. Seeds germinate easily, and the plant develops a deep taproot that makes it drought-resistant.

Pruning: Cutting the plant back after flowering can help tidy up its appearance and sometimes encourage a bit of regrowth from the base.

Pests and Diseases: Opium Lettuce is generally resistant to most pests and diseases, thanks to its bitter latex, which deters many insects and animals. Monitor your plant for pests like aphids, snails and powdery mildew – can appear in humid or overcrowded areas but is uncommon. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap, Eco Oil or Neem Oil

Soil: You need a high quality potting mix, not a pre-bagged product such as you find at Bunnings etc, try a landscaping place. However, as I am not local to you I still can’t say if they have good quality or not. You are looking for well composted pine bark and large particles. This ensures air flow to the roots and good drainage. When time to re-pot, select a pot one size up ONLY and ensure it has many holes for good drainage.

Fertiliser: We recommend and use Yates Nutricote Standard Black 270 Day Controlled Release Fertiliser however any good quality slow release fertiliser will do. We also stock an Australian Made liquid indoor fertiliser The Plant Runner Indoor Plant Food which is easy to use and odourless

We cannot send plants to Western Australia & Tasmania due to restrictions.

We cannot ship this species Internationally.

We strongly recommended to select Express Post shipping for all plant orders to minimise the transit time.

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