In professional horticulture, varietal selection is one of the key factors in achieving high-quality, consistent production capable of meeting the demands of an increasingly competitive market. This vision gave rise to the Smarties.bio lettuce range, a collection designed to professional growers and passionate with a comprehensive assortment covering the main lettuce types for both the fresh market and specialized production. Today, the range is further enriched with the introduction of two new varieties that celebrate Italy's horticultural heritage: Myrtha Lattuga Rossa di Trento and Maddalena Lattuga Gorizioana Estiva.
A Complete Range for Every Production Need
The Smarties.bio lettuce collection has been developed to meet the diverse requirements of the professional supply chain. It includes varieties belonging to the main commercial lettuce categories:
Romaine Lettuces
Albalunga and Albaliscia are the ideal choice for growers seeking a Romaine lettuce with crisp leaves, excellent structure, and strong field performance. These varieties are perfectly suited to both traditional markets and modern retail distribution.
The Batavia range includes:
These three varieties offer different colour intensities and leaf characteristics, allowing growers to diversify their product offering and enhance shelf appeal. Their versatility makes them particularly appreciated in professional cultivation.
Canasta Lettuce
The Meravigliosa variety stands out for its compact head, crisp texture, and excellent shelf life. These qualities make it especially attractive for growers supplying large-scale retail chains and markets where long post-harvest performance is essential.
New for 2026: Myrtha and Maddalena
Continuous varietal innovation is at the heart of the Smarties.bio philosophy. For this reason, the lettuce range is now expanded with two new introductions that successfully combine regional tradition with strong commercial potential.
Myrtha: The New Lattuga Rossa di Trento
Modern selection of the “Trentina” lettuce, also known as “Ubriacona,” one of the earliest varieties that can be harvested as a whole head in early spring. The plant is robust and versatile, with tender light-green leaves enriched by red shades along the margins. In Northern Italy, the ideal transplanting period is October–November, without the need for protective coverings, for harvests in February–March, when temperatures begin to rise slightly and the days become longer. When grown under protected cultivation, performance improves further. The heads can reach a weight of more than 400 grams. During summer, transplanting is recommended exclusively in mountainous areas. Thanks to its distinctive appearance and strong varietal identity, Myrtha offers growers an excellent opportunity to differentiate their production with a lettuce that combines visual appeal and regional heritage.
Maddalena: Lattuga Goriziana Estiva
Modern selection of the ancient summer Gorizian variety, also known as “Adriatica Agostana”, traditionally cultivated on soils of Karst origin. The earliest records of this crop date back to the 19th century in the territories around Trieste, where it was grown for export to Vienna. This lettuce is especially distinguished by its thicker and firmer leaves. Sowing begins in seedbeds from April onwards and, after about three weeks, the seedlings are transplanted into open fields. To ensure a continuous harvest, sowing is carried out at regular intervals until mid-September. However, as the name suggests, the ideal time for harvesting is August, because with the drop in temperatures at the end of summer it tends to lose some of its crispness and characteristic flavour. As temperatures begin to decline towards the end of summer, both texture and taste gradually become less pronounced.
Innovation and Tradition in One Collection
The strength of the Smarties.bio lettuce range lies in its ability to combine well-established varieties with innovative new selections, creating a comprehensive portfolio that continues to evolve. From Romaine and Batavia to Canasta and the latest introductions, Myrtha and Maddalena, every variety has been developed to meet the needs of modern professional horticulture. With these latest additions, Smarties.bio further reinforces its mission: to develop and select varieties that successfully combine quality, regional identity, innovation, and sustainability.