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

Quick answer

Start indoors 5–6 weeks before set-out (USU). Direct sow 3–4 weeks before last frost-free date (USU). Transplant near last frost-free date (USU). Not the same as endive.

Radicchio at a glance

PlantStart indoors: 6–5 wk before last frost; Direct sow: 4–3 wk before last frost; Transplant: last frost
SunFull sun; even moisture for heading.
SpacingUSU: seed ¼ inch deep.
Days to harvest~60–70 days (UMN); heads ~9–10 weeks (WI)
-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.
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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.

Not endive: radicchio is heading chicory (Cichorium intybus); endive/escarole is C. endivia. See how to grow endive.

Radicchio heads
Radicchio (Cichorium intybus). Photo: Goldlocki, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 (resized).

Planting timing

USU Extension chicory guide: “Seeded radicchio may be planted 3–4 weeks before the last frost-free date … Transplants should be planted near the last frost-free date. … Generally 5–6 weeks are required to grow transplants to this size.” Young plants tolerate down to about 20°F. (USU chicory) UMN: plant radicchio in summer for fall harvest; treat like endive/lettuce. (UMN lettuce, endive and radicchio)

Depth and spacing

USU: seed ¼ inch deep. Wisconsin: thin 8–10 inches; heads in about 9–10 weeks. (WI salad greens)

Sun, soil and water

Cool weather preferred (USU: temps ≤ about 75°F). Full sun; even moisture for heading.

Care

Fall crops often head more reliably in hot summers. USU fall timing: plant 75–85 days before anticipated maturity about 3–4 weeks after first fall frost.

Harvest

Cut firm heads; ~60–70 days to mature (UMN). Flavor sweetens after cool nights.

Pests and diseases

Slugs and salad-green pests — cultural barriers and sanitation first.

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

Frequently asked questions

When do I start indoors?

5–6 weeks to transplant size for set-out near last frost (USU).

Direct sow?

3–4 weeks before last frost-free date (USU).

Same as endive?

No — different species; see the endive guide.

More grow guides: All grow guides

Sources