About this seed
Product Overview: Grow Green Curly Endive from this packet of 200 seeds. This leafy vegetable is a curly or frisee type of Cichorium endivia, valued for its finely divided green leaves and pleasantly bitter flavour.
- Botanical name: Cichorium endivia L.
- Family: Asteraceae
- Plant type: Annual or biennial leafy vegetable
- Growth form: Loose rosette of curly green leaves
- Packet quantity: 200 seeds
Growing from Seed
Sowing: Sow about 1 cm deep in moist seed compost or prepared garden soil. Endive seed needs warmth to germinate reliably: a soil temperature of at least 15°C is recommended, with 20-22°C described as ideal.
Spacing: Thin or transplant full-size plants to approximately 23-38 cm apart. For baby-leaf harvesting, plants may be kept closer, at about 5 cm apart.
Position: Choose a sunny position; partial shade can be useful in summer. Use fertile soil that retains moisture while draining freely.
Watering: Keep plants evenly moist, especially in containers and warm weather. Dry soil, prolonged heat, or cold exposure while plants are young can encourage premature flowering.
Harvest: Pick young outer leaves for baby-leaf use or allow plants to form mature heads. Mature plants may be blanched to make the central leaves paler, milder, and more tender; only cover dry foliage to reduce the risk of decay.
Uses: Curly endive adds texture and a characteristic bitter note to mixed salads. The leaves may also be lightly cooked.
What You Receive: One packet containing 200 Green Curly Endive seeds. This product contains seeds only, not seedlings or harvested leaves.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is curly endive the same as Belgian endive?
No. This product is Cichorium endivia, the species commonly called endive. Belgian endive and several other cultivated chicories are generally associated with Cichorium intybus.
Can curly endive be grown in containers?
Yes. Use a wide container with free-draining compost, provide good light, and water regularly because containers dry more quickly than garden soil.
Does endive prefer warm or cool conditions?
The seeds need warmth for reliable germination, while established plants are commonly managed as leafy salad crops and should not be allowed to become hot and dry. Local sowing dates should avoid prolonged cold during the young-plant stage and severe heat later in growth.