Germination temperature
Ideal about 20-24 °C (68-75 °F); at least 15 °C (59 °F) for reliable outdoor sowing.
Vegetable growing guide
Curly endive germinates quickly in mild soil and forms a frilly rosette that turns sweet and pale when blanched. The main things to manage are bolting, from cold when young or heat and drought later, and bitterness.
Ideal about 20-24 °C (68-75 °F); at least 15 °C (59 °F) for reliable outdoor sowing.
6 mm-1 cm (1/4-1/2 in).
About 5-7 days in warm soil.
No special light requirement for germination; full sun or light shade for growth.
None needed.
Both. Indoor sowings take about 6-8 weeks to reach transplant size.
Endive seed is small and sown dry. Sow thinly, 5-10 cm (2-4 in) apart in the row, to reduce thinning later.
Not needed. The seed takes up water readily.
Not needed. Chilling does not help germination, and cold exposure of young plants can cause bolting.
Not needed. Endive germinates within about a week in moist soil at the right temperature.
Seed can germinate across a wide range, about 2-29 °C (35-85 °F), with an optimum near 24 °C (75 °F). For reliable outdoor sowing the RHS recommends soil of at least 15 °C (59 °F), ideally 20-22 °C (68-72 °F).
Cover with 6 mm-1 cm (1/4-1/2 in) of fine soil or compost. Sources differ slightly: US extension guides give 6 mm (1/4 in), the RHS 1 cm (1/2 in).
Fine seed compost for trays, or a well-prepared, moisture-retentive bed outdoors.
Keep evenly moist; dry soil both slows germination and later encourages bolting.
Germination does not depend on light. Once up, give seedlings bright light so they stay compact.
About 5-7 days at favourable temperatures.
Start indoors about 6-8 weeks before planting out. Harden off and plant when temperatures stay reliably above 5 °C (41 °F), but do not expose young plants to prolonged cold, which triggers bolting.
Thin or plant 23-38 cm (9-13 in) apart for full heads, in rows about 45 cm (18 in) apart; 5 cm (2 in) is enough for baby salad leaves.
Endive grows best at a mean of about 16-21 °C (60-70 °F), ideally around 10 °C (50 °F) nights and up to 20 °C (68 °F) days. Water regularly, especially in warm weather.
Cause: cold exposure while young, or heat, long days and dry soil later; several days above 24 °C (75 °F) can trigger flowering. Fix: avoid very early cold sowings, water steadily, and shade plants when temperatures exceed 24 °C (75 °F).
Cause: unblanched hearts, heat and moisture stress. Fix: blanch the centre for about 2 weeks before harvest and grow the crop into the cooler season; a light frost also improves flavour.
Cause: tying or covering plants while the leaves are wet. Fix: blanch only dry plants, blanch a few at a time, and harvest promptly because blanched heads deteriorate quickly.
Cause: finely cut curly leaves hold moisture and are prone to leaf diseases, especially in autumn plantings. Fix: give plants enough spacing for air movement and water the soil rather than the leaves.
Cause: slugs and snails, which shelter under covers. Fix: check covers regularly and use slug control around young plants.
When plants are mature, about a month after transplanting, tie the outer leaves loosely over the heart or cover the centre with a plate or tile. Blanching takes about 2-3 weeks, longer in cool weather.
Endive does not thrive in hot conditions. In the Indian plains grow it as a cool-season crop so that it matures in the cooler months; in hill areas spring and autumn sowings suit it best.
Pick baby leaves from about one month after sowing, or cut whole heads at ground level about three months after sowing, once blanched. Green curled varieties take about 95 days to maturity.
Regular watering and a light liquid feed every two weeks on poor soils or in containers produce tender leaves and help prevent bolting.
Sow Green Curly Endive for frilly, tangy salad leaves in the cool season.
Covering the heart from light for about 2-3 weeks before harvest makes the inner leaves paler, more tender and much less bitter. Do it only when the plants are dry to avoid rot.
Endive bolts after cold exposure when young, or in hot, dry weather and long days. Avoid sowing too early into cold conditions, keep the soil moist and give shade above 24 °C (75 °F).
Curly endive and escarole are both Cichorium endivia: curly endive has finely cut, frilly leaves, escarole has broad, flat leaves. Chicory and radicchio belong to the related species Cichorium intybus.