About
Cichorium intybus 'Leonardo' is a radicchio variety suitable for harvesting in late summer and autumn. As temperatures cool in the evenings, the large, compact heads develop a rich red hue.
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
- Aspect
- East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
- Plant type
- Annual Biennial
- Habit
- Tufted
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 1 year
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Plant out young plants 30-45cm apart in moist, well-drained soil in full sun. Keep plants well-watered and remove any weeds. See growing chicory in vegetable cultivation for further information
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds or sowing seeds indoors for further advice
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to slugs, snails and aphids
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to grey moulds