Cichorium endivia

Cichorium endivia (endive) seed for crisp, gently bitter salad leaves. Curly frisée and broad-leaved escarole types that thrive in cool weather and blanch well.
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Cichorium endivia — endive

Cichorium endivia is the botanical name for endive, a leafy salad crop in the daisy family (Asteraceae) grown for its crisp, pleasantly bitter leaves. It is the species behind our endive range and a close cousin of chicory, with which it shares the genus Cichorium.

History & origin

Endive has been cultivated around the Mediterranean since antiquity and was well known to the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans, who valued its bitter leaves both as food and as a tonic. It spread through Europe in the Middle Ages and became especially popular in France, Belgium and the Netherlands, where the broad-leaved escarole and the finely cut frisée types are kitchen staples. The genus name Cichorium comes from the classical name for these chicory-like plants, while endivia traces back through Latin to a word for the crop.

Botanical characteristics

Endive forms a low, spreading rosette of leaves rather than a tight head. There are two main groups: curly-leaved frisée, with finely divided, frilly foliage, and broad-leaved escarole (also called Batavian), with smoother, sturdier leaves. The hearts are often blanched by covering them, which softens the natural bitterness into a milder, nuttier sweetness. Like its relatives it is fast and easy in cool weather and sits comfortably among our fresh leafy greens.

Growing Cichorium endivia from seed

Endive thrives in cool conditions and is ideal for late summer and autumn salads when many other leaves have bolted. Sow direct or in modules, thin to give each plant room to spread, and keep the soil moist for tender growth. To reduce bitterness, blanch the hearts a couple of weeks before harvest by tying the outer leaves up or covering with a plate. Our vegetable growing guide covers the basics, and the vegetable sowing calendar shows the best windows for a steady supply.

Ready to grow your own crisp salad leaves? Browse the varieties below.

Related categories: Endive · Chicory · Fresh Leafy Greens · Lettuce · All Vegetables

At SeedsChoice, every order ships from Meppel, NL with fast, tracked EU delivery.

What is the difference between endive and chicory?
Both belong to the genus Cichorium. Endive (Cichorium endivia) is grown for loose rosettes of curly or broad salad leaves, while chicory (Cichorium intybus) includes radicchio, sugarloaf and forcing types. Explore chicory for the related range. How do I make endive less bitter?
Blanch the hearts for one to two weeks before harvest by tying up the outer leaves or covering the plant, which excludes light and turns the centre paler, milder and sweeter. What is the difference between frisée and escarole?
Frisée has finely cut, frilly leaves and a delicate texture, while escarole (Batavian) has broader, smoother leaves that are sturdier and good both raw and cooked. When should I sow endive?
Endive is at its best as a late summer and autumn crop sown from early summer onwards, when cool conditions keep it from bolting.