Why chicory is the most versatile and resilient bitter green for your garden
In short: Chicory is a garden powerhouse, offering everything from vibrant, heart-shaped radicchio to the delicate, blanched chicons of winter. Whether you prefer the sharp, tangy bite of raw leaves or the mellow sweetness of roasted heads, this resilient crop thrives when sown after the solstice for a bountiful autumn harvest.
Chicory, or Cichorium intybus, is a remarkably diverse plant family categorized into three primary types: radicchio, sugarloaf, and forcing chicory. Radicchio is prized for its striking, deep red leaves and contrasting white veins, while sugarloaf varieties grow into tall, crisp heads that resemble cos lettuce. Forcing chicory, often called Belgian endive, is specifically cultivated for its chicons—pale, tender shoots produced by forcing the roots in darkness during the winter months.
The secret to managing chicory’s signature bitterness lies in light exclusion. While sugarloaf and many radicchio varieties are self-blanching—meaning their tight outer leaves protect the inner core from sunlight—other types require intervention. Gardeners can manually blanch these plants by covering them with a bucket for several weeks before harvest. This process reduces the plant's natural intensity, resulting in a milder, more palatable flavor profile that is further softened when the leaves are grilled or roasted.
Cultivation success depends heavily on timing. Sowing too early in spring often leads to bolting, where the plant prematurely produces flowers instead of edible leaves. Experts recommend sowing after the summer solstice to ensure vigorous growth. Chicory is adaptable, thriving in open, sunny sites or even containers at least 30cm wide. Whether you are growing them as cut-and-come-again salad greens or waiting for mature, dense hearts to harvest between September and November, chicory remains a reliable and visually stunning addition to any vegetable plot.
Beyond the kitchen, chicory serves as an excellent ornamental plant. Its bright blue flowers are highly attractive to bees and other pollinators, making it a functional choice for flower borders. Historically, the roots have also been processed as a coffee substitute, highlighting the plant's long-standing utility. By selecting varieties with an Award of Garden Merit, gardeners can ensure their crops have been trial-tested for reliability and performance.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Grow chicory for beautiful hearts of radicchio, dense and bittersweet, or for chicons
- Also: How to grow chicory | RHS Guide
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