How to Grow Endive: Planting, Spacing, Care & Harvest

Quick answer

Direct sow 2–4 weeks before last frost (UC). Escarole is covered here as a section (same species group). See also radicchio for heading chicory.

Endive at a glance

PlantStart indoors: 8–6 wk before last frost; Direct sow: 4–2 wk before last frost; Transplant: 2 wk before last frost
SunCool-season culture; full sun in cool weather; even moisture.
SpacingTreat like lettuce for spacing; thin for air flow.
Days to harvest80–90 days (Missouri Extension)
-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1LF+1+2+3
■ Start indoors   ■ Plant out   ■ Harvest
Weeks relative to last frost (LF). Colored weeks show when our ZIP planner schedules each step.
Jump to

Updated

Planting dates for your ZIP: the ZIP planting planner counts each window from your local frost dates.

Organic pests and diseases: see also organic pest control. Use any product as the label directs.

Escarole: broader-leaf endive type — same planting window; no separate page. Not radicchio: heading chicory is a different crop — see how to grow radicchio.

Endive leaves
Endive (Cichorium endivia). Photo: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (resized).

Planting timing

UC ANR spring seed-starting schedule for Endive & Escarole: “Can direct sow 2–4 weeks before last frost.” (UC spring seed-starting schedule) UMN: chicories grown similarly to lettuce — direct seed when soil is workable; start indoors for transplant windows. (UMN lettuce, endive and radicchio)

Escarole

Escarole is the broader, less-curled leaf type of Cichorium endivia (flat-leaved endive). Cornell endive/escarole: direct seed 2 to 4 weeks before average last frost; for extra-early crops, start seed inside 6 to 8 weeks before last frost; transplant about 2 weeks before last frost. Fall: direct seed about 2 to 3 months before expected fall frost Light frost enhances flavor. (Cornell endive/escarole)

Depth and spacing

Treat like lettuce for spacing; thin for air flow. Blanch heads as they mature if you want milder leaves (UMN).

Sun, soil and water

Cool-season culture; full sun in cool weather; even moisture.

Care

Succession sow for continuous salad greens. Prefer fall crops where spring heat is harsh.

Harvest

Cut whole heads or outer leaves. Blanch before harvest for milder flavor (UMN).

Pests and diseases

Slugs and lettuce-family pests — cultural sanitation and barriers first.

Related: radicchio · lettuce · ZIP planner · organic pest control

Frequently asked questions

When do I sow?

Direct sow 2–4 weeks before last frost (UC).

Is escarole separate?

Same page — broader-leaf type, same window.

Radicchio?

Different crop (heading chicory) — see the radicchio guide.

More grow guides: All grow guides

Sources