Endive

Start from seed: September-March

Optimum soil temperature for germination: 12-25°C

Plant seedlings: October-March

Plant spacing: 20-30 cm

Days to maturity: 70-98 days

Introduction

Endive (Cichorium endivia) is a leafy vegetable belonging to the Asteraceae family, related to chicory, dandelion, and lettuce. It’s a cool-season annual that offers a distinctive, slightly bitter flavour that adds complexity to salads and cooked dishes. The main difference between endive and the chicory/radicchio species is that endive has a branched tap root and does not have hair on the leaves.

Originally native to the Mediterranean region and parts of Asia, endive has been cultivated for thousands of years. Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans all valued endive for both culinary and medicinal purposes. Modern endive cultivation began in earnest in 17th century France and Belgium, from where it spread throughout Europe and eventually worldwide.

There are two main varieties of endive: escarole (also called broad-leaf endive), which has broad, slightly curved pale green leaves with a milder flavour; and frisée (curly endive), which has finely cut, curly leaves with a more pronounced bitterness. Both varieties form loose heads and are prized for their crisp texture and distinctive flavour profile that ranges from mildly bitter to quite pungent, depending on growing conditions and variety.

Site and soil

Endive thrives in Canberra’s cool temperate climate, particularly in spring and autumn when temperatures are moderate.

Prepare the soil by incorporating compost or well-rotted manure and complete organic fertiliser to create a fertile, well-draining growing medium. Endive prefers a slightly acidic to neutral soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. A fertile soil with good organic matter content will help produce healthy plants and reduce bitterness in the leaves.

For container growing, use pots at least 20 cm deep with good drainage holes. Fill with premium potting mix enhanced with compost and complete organic fertilizer. Container cultivation works well for endive, allowing you to move plants to optimal conditions as the season progresses.

For details on preparing soil and pots, including the use of lime, dolomite, gypsum and fertilizers, please refer to the COGS guide to garden bed preparation.

Planting Seeds and Seedlings

In Canberra, endive can be sown in two main periods: January to March for autumn/winter harvest, and September-December for spring/summer harvest. However, the best time to plant endive is in January for an Autumn harvest. Plants grown in spring tend to be bitter and tough, and bolt as the days get longer.

Germination can be patchy so for best results sow in cell trays or seedling trays for transplanting later. Seeds typically germinate within 4-7 days at soil temperatures between 15-25°C. transplant when seedlings have developed 3-4 true leaves, usually 3-4 weeks after sowing. When transplanting, handle seedlings carefully to minimize root disturbance.

If direct sowing, sow seeds to a depth twice the size of the seed in drills. Thin plants to 20-25 cm apart with rows 25-30 cm apart.

For a continuous harvest, consider succession planting every 2-3 weeks during the growing seasons. This ensures a steady supply of fresh endive over a longer period. In Canberra’s climate, the spring planting should be timed to mature before the heat of summer sets in, while autumn plantings can extend well into winter with minimal protection.

After planting, water thoroughly and apply a light organic mulch to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds. Be careful not to cover the crown of the plant with mulch, as this can encourage rot.

Cultivation

Consistent moisture is key to growing quality endive. Maintain even soil moisture throughout the growing period, as drought stress can lead to increased bitterness and tougher leaves. Water at the base of plants rather than overhead to reduce disease risk, especially in cooler weather.

If the soil has been prepared using complete organic fertiliser there should be no need to add additional fertiliser. However, avoid excess soluble nitrogen, which can lead to lush growth but increased bitterness. A monthly foliar spray with seaweed solution; a mix of worm juice, seaweed and compost tea; or trace elements will help boost growth and resilience to pests and diseases.

To reduce bitterness, particularly in warmer weather, blanching can be performed 1-3 weeks before harvest. This is done by tying the outer leaves together with soft garden twine to exclude light from the heart of the plant or by placing an upturned pot over the plant. Blanching not only reduces bitterness but also produces a more tender and aesthetically appealing product.

Weed control is important, especially when plants are young, as endive doesn’t compete well with aggressive weeds. Hand weed carefully to avoid damaging the shallow root system, and maintain mulch to suppress weed growth.

Endive is quite cold-tolerant and can withstand light frosts, making it an excellent cool-season crop for Canberra gardens. In fact, a light frost can improve flavour by converting some starches to sugars, resulting in a sweeter, less bitter taste. Caterpillar tunnels can be erected over the crop to avoid damage from severe frosts.

Harvesting

Endive is typically ready to harvest 70-80 days after sowing, depending on the variety and growing conditions. Harvest when plants have formed a full head and before they show any signs of bolting (sending up a flower stalk), which makes the leaves extremely bitter.

You can harvest endive in two ways:

Cut the entire plant at ground level when it reaches maturity
Harvest individual outer leaves as needed, allowing the plant to continue growing (cut-and-come-again method)

For the best flavour, harvest in the morning when leaves are crisp and full of moisture. If plants have been blanched, they should be harvested promptly once the blanching process is complete, as they can deteriorate quickly if left too long.

Endive can store in the refrigerator for up to a week. Wash just before use rather than before storage to extend shelf life. For the best quality, wrap loosely in a damp paper towel or tea towel and place in a perforated plastic bag or container in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator.

Problems

The best approach is to have a reliable Australian reference book to identify problems. Garden Pests, Disease and Good Bugs by Denis Crawford is recommended.

A general strategy to follow with any problem is to observe the plant carefully before taking action. Identify the problem then carefully consider the course of action. For example, with pest insects, you often can see a predator nearby. If you watch and wait the predator may deal with the problem for you. Beneficial predatory insects which feed on pest insects can be purchased from suppliers such as Bugs for Bugs. If the problem needs further action the above recommended book has suggestions.

Practicing good garden hygiene, crop rotation, and maintaining plant vigour by providing adequate nutrients are key strategies for prevention.

While endive is generally trouble-free, it can face several challenges in Canberra gardens:

Slugs and Snails are the most common pests of endive, especially during wet periods. They leave irregular holes in leaves and slime trails. Control methods include beer traps, copper tape barriers, organic snail baits (iron EDTA), or manual removal in the evening.

Aphids: These small sap-sucking insects can transmit celery mosaic virus. They often cluster on the undersides of leaves, causing distortion and stunting. Small populations can be controlled by washing them off with a strong stream of water or using insecticidal soap. Alternatively, neem oil or pyrethrin can be used. Beneficial predators like ladybugs and lacewings should be encouraged and can be purchased for release on the crop. Look for aphid mummies which are evidence that the aphid has been parasitised. Eggs can also be parasitised and will appear bronze in colour. Generally speaking, plants that are high in soluble nitrogen (nitrates and ammonia) are prone to attack by sap sucking insects. Ideally avoid using soluble nitrogen fertilisers and ensure plants have adequate trace elements. This can be achieved by using foliar sprays.

Powdery Mildew: A fungal disease appearing as white powdery spots on leaves. Occurs more commonly in humid conditions with poor air circulation. Improve spacing between plants, avoid overhead watering, and apply organic fungicides if necessary.

Bolting: Premature flowering can occur due to heat stress, long daylight hours, or other environmental stressors. Plant at appropriate times and ensure consistent watering during warm weather to reduce risk.

Bottom Rot: A fungal disease that causes rotting at the base of the plant. Avoid overwatering, ensure good drainage, and practice crop rotation to prevent recurrence.

Bitter Taste: While some bitterness is characteristic of endive, excessive bitterness can result from poor mineral nutrition, heat stress, irregular watering, or harvesting too late. Providing adequate mineral nutrition to plants by using a complete organic fertiliser just prior to planting, using monthly foliar sprays and providing adequate water will allow for optimal growth which avoids uncharacteristic bitterness. Consistent care and blanching before harvest can help reduce unwanted bitterness.

Recommended Varieties

Several endive varieties perform well in Canberra’s climate:

Broad-leaf (Escarole) Types:

Batavian Full Heart – Forms large, full heads with slightly crumpled leaves; good cold tolerance and disease resistance
Green Curled Ruffec – Hardy variety with deeply cut, curly leaves; excellent frost resistance
Broadleaf Batavian – Produces large heads with broad leaves; less bitter than other varieties
Salad King – medium green leaves, late maturing

Curly (Frisée) Types:

Frisée Fine – Finely cut, feathery leaves with a distinctive appearance; traditional French variety
Très Fine Maraîchèr – Very finely cut leaves; excellent texture for salads
Green Curled – Deeply cut, curly leaves; good resistance to bolting and tolerant of cool conditions
Aurora – A curly endive variety with medium curly leaf, deep yellow core and a white midrib with wide base for autumn cropping, High degree of uniformity.
Capriccio – a very uniform habit and impressive dense heads with big cores for blanching. An excellent production variety with good bolt resistance, well adapted to a variety of planting dates including long-day periods

For Canberra’s climate, focus on varieties with heat tolerance and bolt resistance for spring plantings and cold tolerance for autumn and winter cultivation.

References

Bubel, Nancy. The New Seed-Starters Handbook. Rodale Books, 2018.
Crawford D. Garden Pests, Disease and Good Bugs. Australia: ABC Books; 2015.
Dove, Helena. Botany of the Kitchen Garden, Kew Publishing, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, UK, 2023.
Fanton, Michel and Jude. The Seed Savers Handbook. The Seed Savers Network, Australia, 1993.
Yates Australia. (2024). How to Grow Endive. https://www.yates.com.au/how-to-grow/endive/