Leaf chicory: discover red, green and a pleasantly bitter accent
Radicchio, sugarloaf chicory and loose-leaf types give leaf chicory different forms. Some are chopped into salads; others are grilled or braised. Growing them requires a clear variety choice: a plant grown for leaves or a head is managed differently from chicory later forced from a root in darkness.
This image was created with AI from described plant characteristics and growing advice. It shows a possible situation and is not a photograph of a verified cultivar.
- Harvest
- Leaves or heads
- Location
- Sun, with light shade in heat
- Planning
- Depends on type and cultivar
- Water
- Consistent moisture
This growing advice helps you choose. Your variety, growth stage, weather and conditions in your space determine the actual timing.
Sowing under cover and raising seedlings
Start under cover in cool conditions or sow directly · Leaf chicory
June–July for many autumn typesSow thinly in modules and follow the specific cultivar period.
- Germination and temperature
- Allow even germination; avoid cold stress during early propagation.
- After emergence
- Keep emerged lettuce bright and well ventilated; prevent high greenhouse temperatures and drying out.
- Pricking out and potting on
- Sow in modules or prick out manageable seedlings into individual cells. Keep the root ball intact when planting out.
- Hardening off and planting out
- Gradually acclimatise indoor-raised plants to sun, wind and outdoor temperatures; shelter them again on cold nights. Plant out sturdy young plants; keep the growing point clear and protect against slugs and snails.
These types have different cultivar windows. Early cold can encourage bolting; summer sowing is the usual route for many autumn types.
Sources and use
Royal Horticultural Society · Bladcichorei kweken ↗Soort- of productgebonden bron; buitenlandse perioden zijn geen vaste Nederlandse zaaidatum.
Utah State University Extension · Chicory in the garden ↗Soort- of productgebonden bron; buitenlandse perioden zijn geen vaste Nederlandse zaaidatum.
Guideline periods for the Netherlands and Flanders. Check the variety, available light, soil and measured temperatures. Greenhouse heating does not guarantee enough winter light.
A different flavour, a different harvest.
Choose by more than the name. Discover how these varieties and crop types taste, what you can use them for and what growing them involves.
2 of 2 choices · 2 named varieties
This image was created with AI from described plant characteristics and growing advice. It shows a possible situation and is not a photograph of a verified cultivar.
Di Galatina
Di Galatina is grown for a compact leafy head with firm, light green inner shoots. This harvested part distinguishes puntarelle from ordinary head lettuce.
Choose this variety to discover a different chicory harvest. Puntarelle is botanically neither a new lettuce nor asparagus species.
Flavour, kitchen and growing
How does it taste?
The source gives no distinctive Di Galatina aroma. Chicory-like bitterness is crop information, not a proven variety difference.
This flavour description applies to the crop; there is no separate tasting result for this variety.In the kitchen
Slice the shoots into fine strips for a salad. Prepare leaves and thicker shoots separately if needed, so that each has a suitable texture.
A space in the garden
Give a head enough room and maintain steady growth. Assess shoot development on the plant rather than following a general lettuce calendar.
Harvesting
Harvest inner shoots once firm and usable. Picking only individual young leaves does not give the same puntarelle harvest.
Also listed as: Puntarelle di Galatina.
Read the source notes →
This image was created with AI from described plant characteristics and growing advice. It shows a possible situation and is not a photograph of a verified cultivar.
Rouge de Vérone
Rouge de Vérone forms a firm, dark red radicchio head. Its retail grouping under endive does not change its botanical identity as chicory.
Choose this variety for a compact, red chicory heart and crisp leaves. Head shape does not mean sweet lettuce.
Flavour, kitchen and growing
How does it taste?
The usual slight bitterness of radicchio applies at crop level. A separate aroma ranking for Rouge de Vérone is not substantiated.
This flavour description applies to the crop; there is no separate tasting result for this variety.In the kitchen
Finely slice the head for a salad or roast wedges for a hot dish. The firm texture suits both preparations.
A space in the garden
Let the plant form a head with enough room and even growth. Assess colour and closure through the season.
Harvesting
Harvest the compact head while leaves remain healthy. Consider firmness and plant condition as well as colour.
Also listed as: Rosso di Verona.
Read the source notes →Choose your way to grow
From a garden bed to a suitable pot or support: give your plant a place that suits your garden and the care you can provide.
This image was created with AI from described plant characteristics and growing advice. It shows a possible situation and is not a photograph of a verified cultivar.
Heads in an autumn bed
An autumn variety gets time to form a head in cooler weather.
- Choose a suitable radicchio or sugarloaf chicory selection.
- Sow within the variety's window and give young plants space.
- Harvest a firm head before quality declines.
For anyone wanting to use a vacated summer bed.
Tick off your supplies →
This image was created with AI from described plant characteristics and growing advice. It shows a possible situation and is not a photograph of a verified cultivar.
Young leaves in a wide container
A small sowing provides leaves to use fresh.
- Use a wide container with drainage.
- Sow thinly in small successive rounds.
- Harvest young outer leaves without damaging the centre.
For limited space and small salad portions.
Tick off your supplies →Explore the varieties
See the confirmed differences. Characteristics without supporting evidence are left blank.
1 of 1 varieties
This image was created with AI from described plant characteristics and growing advice. It shows a possible situation and is not a photograph of a verified cultivar.
Pan di zucchero
Explore this variety and use the growing guide to choose a place for your plant.
View variety →Choose two to four varieties to compare their source data side by side.
Leaf chicory is more than one head
Loose-leaf types, radicchio and sugarloaf give varied forms. Chicory's name alone fixes neither head closure nor colour. Choose a recognisable type and seasonal variety. Root growing and dark forcing need a separate plan outside this direct leaf-harvest route.
Let the variety determine sowing time
Some types head best as temperatures fall; others suit young leaves. Read variety advice first. Summer sowing can give cleared beds useful autumn harvests. Do not sow whole packets at once: a few healthy plants eaten promptly beat entire rows ageing together.
A calm root environment helps leaves
Choose soil that holds moisture and drains excess water. Mature compost can improve structure. Check for quickly drying edges or compacted wet spots. In a container, use potting compost with drainage. Excess feeding is no solution for poor rooting and can produce loose growth where you want a head.
Sow thinly and keep the rootball intact
Direct sowing and modules are possible routes. Sow at variety depth and keep moist. After emergence, provide light and thin once crowded. Support the whole root ball when transplanting. Do not bury a young rosette's heart.
Picking leaves and growing heads need different spacing
Sow more densely and harvest earlier for young leaves. Give full heads the spacing their type needs. Leave a path for observation and picking. A small May plant can become a large rosette; plan final size before planting neighbours.
Prevent growth from repeatedly stalling
Drought can slow growth and sharpen flavour. Check beneath the surface and water soil as needed. Light shade is useful for leaf crops in warmth. Weed carefully around young roots. New sowings need more checks than established heads.
A loose rosette is not always a failed head
Not all types head at the same stage; some naturally give loose leaves. Check choice before feeding. Heat, long days or stress cause early flowers. With soft leaves, inspect drainage and airflow. Remove rot without repeatedly disturbing healthy neighbouring rosettes.
Match the bitter accent to the dish
Pick young leaves or cut the formed head at the base. Use fresh, sound parts and chill the harvest if not preparing it straight away. Bitterness belongs to this vegetable and varies with type and growth. Try small portions alongside other flavours or in a cooked dish; this helps determine your next cultivar choice.
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More background, sources and image information
SeedSteps editorial team · updated on 11 October 2026. The AI images illustrate species and practical growing situations; they do not prove an exact cultivar, observations from your own garden or yield.
Britse gewasadviezen worden gecombineerd met Nederlandse en Vlaamse informatie waar beschikbaar. Amerikaanse Extension-bronnen ondersteunen plantprincipes en herkenning; hun kalenderdata, lokale plaagdruk, bestrijdingsmiddelen en mestdoseringen worden niet rechtstreeks op Nederland of Vlaanderen toegepast. Vorst, bodemwarmte, standplaats en expliciete rasinformatie blijven de lokale controle. Commerciële bronnen onderbouwen uitsluitend benoemde ras- en plantkenmerken; zij zijn geen affiliate-aanbeveling.
- World Checklist of Vascular Plants — 4 juni 2026Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew · accessed 2026-10-07
- Andijvie Radicchio Rouge de Vérone zaden biologischFeggies · accessed 2026-10-11
- Puntarelle di Galatina (Cichorium intybus) – biologische zadenFeggies · accessed 2026-10-11
- Chicory: growing guideRoyal Horticultural Society · accessed 2026-10-11
- Growing lettuce, endive and radicchio in home gardensUniversity of Minnesota Extension · accessed 2026-10-08
- Bladcichorei kwekenRoyal Horticultural Society · accessed 2026-10-10
- Chicory in the gardenUtah State University Extension · accessed 2026-10-10
Supporting evidence by chapter: Leaf chicory is more than one head: Royal Horticultural Society, Utah State University Extension, University of Minnesota Extension. Let the variety determine sowing time: Royal Horticultural Society, Utah State University Extension, University of Minnesota Extension. A calm root environment helps leaves: Royal Horticultural Society, Utah State University Extension, University of Minnesota Extension. Sow thinly and keep the rootball intact: Royal Horticultural Society, Utah State University Extension, University of Minnesota Extension. Picking leaves and growing heads need different spacing: Royal Horticultural Society, Utah State University Extension, University of Minnesota Extension. Prevent growth from repeatedly stalling: Royal Horticultural Society, Utah State University Extension, University of Minnesota Extension. A loose rosette is not always a failed head: Royal Horticultural Society, Utah State University Extension, University of Minnesota Extension. Match the bitter accent to the dish: Royal Horticultural Society, Utah State University Extension, University of Minnesota Extension.