Chicory.

En un coup d'œil

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Perennial herb

Light

Full sun

Indoor light

direct

Water

Every 7 to 14 days

Mature size

100 to 150 cm

Growth rate

fast

Hardiness

USDA 3 to 9

Bloom time

Mid summer to early autumn

Entretien

Chicory is very low maintenance and prefers well drained soil in a sunny spot. Keep an eye out for aphids or rust on the leaves during humid spells. It is drought tolerant once established.

Watering

Water regularly until established, then allow soil to dry slightly between waterings.

Feeding

Apply a balanced organic fertilizer once or twice during the growing season.

Pruning

Cut back spent flower stalks to encourage new leaf growth or prevent self seeding.

Repotting

Repot if the taproot becomes crowded in its container.

Soil

Well drained, loamy, or sandy soil

Soil pH

6.0 to 7.5

Temperature

-20 to 35°C

Humidity

20 to 60%

Drought tolerance

high

Lifespan

Perennial, typically 3 to 5 years.

Deer and rabbits

moderate

Sécurité

People

Chicory is generally considered safe, though excessive consumption may cause digestive discomfort in some individuals.

Children

The stems contain a bitter, milky sap that may cause mild skin irritation if handled by children.

Contact allergens

The milky sap can cause contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals.

Airborne allergens

Pollen from chicory can trigger seasonal allergies in some people.

Edibility

While chicory is commonly eaten, ensure you are not harvesting from areas treated with herbicides or polluted runoff.

Comment l'identifier

• Bright blue daisy like flowers
• Stiff, grooved, branching stems
• Deeply lobed basal leaves
• Taproot similar to a parsnip

Height

0.3 to 1.5m

Spread

0.3 to 0.6m

Leaves

green, deciduous

Flowers

blue, white, pink, 3 to 5cm

Problèmes courants

• Powdery mildew — A fungal infection that appears as white, dusty spots on the leaves.
• Aphids — Small insects that cluster on new growth and suck plant sap.

La cultiver

Propagation

seed, division

When to plant

spring, autumn

Overwintering

The foliage will die back in winter, but the taproot remains hardy and will resprout in spring.

In containers

Chicory grows well in deep containers, at least 12 inches deep, to accommodate its long taproot.

Plant chicory near other leafy greens to provide a sturdy, deep rooted companion that helps break up compacted soil.

Bonnes associations

• Carrot — They share similar soil needs and grow well together in garden beds.
• Lettuce — Both are cool season greens that benefit from similar moisture levels.

À éloigner de

• Fennel — Fennel can inhibit the growth of many other garden vegetables.

Espèces similaires

• Endive — It is a close relative often grown specifically for its edible leaves.

Science

Family

Asteraceae

Genus

Cichorium

Order

Asterales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa.

Conservation

Chicory is a widespread, naturalized plant and is not of conservation concern.

It thrives in disturbed soils and roadsides, using its deep taproot to access water during dry spells.

Value to wildlife

nectar source

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Uses

culinary greens, coffee substitute, ornamental wildflower

Taxonomie vérifiée avec le GBIF.

Ce qu'on demande souvent

Is chicory a weed?

It is often considered a weed in lawns and pastures, but it is also a valued culinary herb.

How do I harvest the roots?

Dig up the taproot in late autumn when the plant is dormant.

D'où vient le nom

The name Cichorium comes from the Greek word kichore, while intybus refers to its use as a salad green.

Bon à savoir

• The flowers typically open in the morning and close by afternoon.
• Chicory is a member of the dandelion family.
• It has been used in traditional medicine for centuries.