Endive
Cichorium endivia
Endive is a leafy plant in the chicory family grown as a cool-season green. Curly (frisée) and broad-leaved (escarole) forms are both popular garden greens.
- Light
- Full sun to part shade
- Water
- Keep evenly moist
- Difficulty
- Moderate
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Overview
Cichorium endivia is a leafy plant closely related to chicory, grown as a cool-season garden green. It comes in two main forms: curly endive (frisée) with finely cut, frizzy leaves, and escarole with broad, smooth leaves.
Note that "Belgian endive"—the pale, tight chicon—is actually forced chicory (Cichorium intybus), often grouped under the endive name. True endive is a cool-season annual or biennial grown for fall and winter.
How to identify it
- Curly type (frisée): a low rosette of finely divided, ruffled, narrow leaves with frizzy edges
- Broad type (escarole): flatter, wavy, broad green leaves in a loose head
- Pale, blanched (sun-protected) inner leaves
- Milky sap in the stems
- Blue, dandelion-like flowers if allowed to bolt
Care & growing
Light: Full sun to partial shade.
Water: Keep evenly moist.
Soil: Fertile, well-drained soil rich in organic matter.
Temperature: Cool-season crop (45-75°F); bolts in heat.
Blanching: Tie up or cover the heads for 1-2 weeks before harvest to blanch the pale centers.
Propagation: Direct-sow or transplant; sow in late summer for autumn crops.
Habitat & origin
Endive is native to the Mediterranean and Asia Minor and has been cultivated since antiquity. It is widely grown across Europe, especially Belgium, France, Italy, and the Netherlands.
A cool-climate plant, it grows best in spring and fall in temperate gardens.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between frisée and escarole?
Both are forms of endive: frisée has frizzy, finely cut curly leaves while escarole has broad, smooth, slightly wavy leaves.
Is endive the same as Belgian endive?
Not exactly—Belgian endive (the pale chicon) is forced chicory, a close relative. Curly endive and escarole are Cichorium endivia.
How do I blanch the heads?
Tie up or cover the heads for one to two weeks before harvest so the protected inner leaves turn pale and tender.
What are the growing conditions for endive?
It is a cool-season plant that grows best at 45-75°F in fertile, evenly moist, well-drained soil and tends to bolt in summer heat.
Endive guides
In-depth guides for identifying, growing, and caring for Endive.
