Growing Chicory, also Witloof, Belgian endive

Cichorium intybus : Asteraceae / the daisy family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
    S                  
        T              
      P P              

(Best months for growing Chicory in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 50°F and 68°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 10 - 12 inches apart
  • Harvest in 16-24 weeks. Will need forcing before final harvest.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Carrots, onions, Florence fennel, tomatoes.
  • Forced (blanched) witloof

Prepare to store for forcing at around 4 - 5 months. The second stage, blanching will take 8 - 12 weeks.

To Blanch: Lift the plants and cut off the leaves about 5 cm (2 in) above the roots. Shorten the roots to about 20 - 25cm (8 - 10 in) and replant close together (3 - 5 cm apart)in a pot filled with loose soil. Keep damp but not soggy.

Cover to exclude light and keep out of the sunlight, but not below 10 °C (50 °F)

Exclude light until you use the witloof, if it goes green it will be bitter.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Chicory

Good in salads.
Grill lightly with butter.
Bake with ham and cheese.

Your comments and tips

09 Oct 23, Annemieke Tempelaars (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Where can I buy the seeds? To grow witlof myself can I buy that on line, I'm in Invercargill NZ
29 Aug 23, Perya Short (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Can anyonenadvise please where I can buy chicory seeds in the Wellington region? Or links to sites that sell online in NZ?
06 Sep 23, Anonymous (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Google seed selling companies.
20 Dec 21, Hans zwets (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
Where in the western cape can I buy witlof .?
21 Sep 22, Bee-Pie (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
Seeds for Africa and Livingseeds.co.za sell seeds.
09 Mar 22, Marius (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
I bought mine online from Living seeds (www.livingseeds.co.za). They are in Henley-on-Klip, Gauteng.
04 Jan 22, (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Google where to buy it.
08 Jul 21, Ria De Wild (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I live in Papatoetoe and have been to many supermarkets to look for Witlof , Nobody knows where to buy it please help me
01 Aug 21, Wendy (New Zealand - temperate climate)
The Dutch market in Cambridge sells it. They are a monthly market, though don't always have endive.
21 Jul 21, (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Seed selling companies on the internet.
Showing 1 - 10 of 65 comments

Ask a question or post a comment or advice about Chicory

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.