Gardening expert Benedict Vanheems says he has been saving money by planting his own lettuce instead of buying from the supermarket. He says it’s easy to grow and tastes better too
Matt Jackson Trendswatch Content Editor
12:43, 12 Apr 2026
A gardener has named one leafy green to plant that saves money(Image: Getty)
Gardeners have been encouraged to “save a small fortune” with one plant that “grows fast”. Gardening expert Benedict Vanheems claims he has been cutting costs by growing his own lettuce rather than picking it up at the supermarket.
In a YouTube video, Benedict tells gardeners they will soon discover just how “sweet, crisp and juicy” homegrown lettuce can be. He explains the vegetable can be cut “seconds before eating”.
On his GrowVeg channel, Benedict reveals he prefers to sow his lettuce into a plug tray, though he points out you can use seed snails or even sow directly into the soil. He said: “It’s incredible to think that in just 30 to 40 days, this will be our lunch.”
He then sows the seeds into a shallow tray, noting that the plant requires light in order to thrive. Each plug holds roughly two or three seeds, though he suggests it is not too much of a concern if you accidentally add a few more.
Should more than one seedling emerge, Benedict explains you can simply “pull up” any surplus ones and snip them off to “avoid root disturbance”. He explained: “That’s pretty much as complicated as it gets, if you can sprinkle salt onto your food, you can sow lettuce seeds.”
You can get different types and colours of lettuce(Image: Getty)
Benedict describes the “ridiculously easy to grow” nature of lettuce as the reason it would be his first choice if he were only permitted to cultivate a single crop. And as an added bonus, he says it would save him a “small fortune” on his weekly shopping bill.
He added: “Lettuce grows so fast that you can harvest it within a few weeks of sowing it and it can be harvested continuously. Of course, anything you grow yourself is going to be organic, no nasty chemicals in it.”
Benedict explained that lettuce grows in the “spring, summer, autumn and winter too”. Describing it as a “superstar” of the garden, lettuce can even be planted with a “little bit of shade”.
He added: “The most important reason of all is taste. Lettuce you’ve planted yourself is sweet, crisp, juicy and nutty. Supermarket lettuce just cannot compete because lettuce loses flavour the moment it is harvested.”
Benedict went on to explain that growing his own lettuce also allows him to select the variety, with romaine lettuce being his “personal favourite”. He appreciates the crunch and considers it “perfect” for a “hearty salad”.
A gardening expert has named one green leaf that will ‘save a fortune'(Image: Getty)
Those seeking a “restaurant quality” leaf, however, should look at butterhead lettuce, the expert advised. He also told viewers there are “literally hundreds” of varieties available, along with a wide range of colours to choose from.
For anyone wishing to cultivate a mix of salad leaves, Benedict recommends sowing directly into the ground, a method he particularly advocates for those planting loose leaf lettuce.
Once sown, he advises checking on your lettuce regularly to ensure the soil remains moist. While spring is the ideal time to plant lettuce, Benedict notes it can still be done into the summer months, provided you have a spot that receives morning light. He recommends harvesting lettuce using a “cut and come again” technique, removing the leaves while retaining a “central growing point”. This approach, he explains, means you can achieve “several harvests” from a single plant.
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