How to Grow Endive

Intermediate

Cichorium endivia

A chicory-family green with slightly bitter flavour that mellows with blanching. Includes curly endive (frisée) and broad-leaved escarole. More heat-tolerant than lettuce but best in cool weather.

Last updated: June 2026

Days to Maturity
85–100 days
typical
Per Square Foot
1
Plant Spacing
30 cm / 12"
Sun
4+ hours
Water
1.0" / 25 mm
Fertilization
moderate feeder

Growing Notes

Direct sow or transplant 4 weeks before last frost for spring; sow in midsummer for fall. Blanch heads 2 weeks before harvest by tying outer leaves over the centre to reduce bitterness and whiten inner leaves.

Popular Varieties

1 endive cultivars in our catalog.

Benefine
Open-Pollinated
Avg fruit
0.0 oz (0 g)

Square Foot Spacing

1 per sq ft

12" apart (entire square)

View full spacing chart →

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