Lactuca sativa 'Parris Island Cos' (Romaine Lettuce)

Parris Island Cos is a classic romaine lettuce with a well-earned reputation for producing tall, upright heads of deep green outer leaves wrapped around a crisp, tender, self-blanching interior. Developed at Clemson University and named after the South Carolina island, it has been a dependable garden standard for decades.

The upright habit and good heat tolerance relative to other romaine varieties make it a practical choice for the Pacific Northwest coast, where you want a lettuce that can handle variable weather and still form proper heads. It typically matures in around 70 days and holds well in the garden for longer than many faster-maturing varieties.

Grow it in well-prepared garden beds or deep containers with consistent moisture. For Caesar salads, wraps, or simply eating fresh from the garden with a drizzle of olive oil and lemon, Parris Island Cos is the variety that sets the standard.