About
Cichorium endivia is an annual or biennial plant known for its edible green leaves that initially form a rosette. If allowed to mature, it develops a tall stem topped with blue flowers. This species serves as the progenitor of various frisée and escarole chicories.
About the genus
Cichorium comprises both annual and perennial species characterized by loosely branching stems. The leaves are either toothed or pinnately lobed, and the plants produce dandelion-like flowers, typically blue, which tend to close by early afternoon during the summer months.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
- Plant type
- Annual Biennial, Herbs - Culinary
- Habit
- Tufted, Columnar upright
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 1-2 years
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden, Mediterranean climate plants, Wildlife gardens, Wildflower meadow
- Native to
- Asia, Europe
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in any moist but well-drained soil - ideally alkaline - in good light. For more advice see endive cultivation
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to slugs and snails and to aphids
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free