Common chicory
Also known as
Chicory, Blue sailors, Blue dandelion, Succory, Coffeeweed, Wild endive, Italian dandelion
Keep this plant’s care guide close at hand.
Get the appAbout Common chicory
Cichorium intybus, commonly called chicory, is a hardy perennial (often grown as a biennial) in the daisy family. It forms a basal rosette of toothed, dandelion-like leaves and sends up stiff, branching stems 30–120 cm tall bearing striking sky-blue, occasionally white or pink, ray flowers that open in the morning and close by afternoon throughout summer. A deep, fleshy taproot anchors the plant and confers notable drought tolerance. Native to Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa, it thrives on poor, well-drained, often calcareous soils and readily colonizes disturbed ground. Chicory has long culinary and agricultural value: young leaves are eaten as salad greens, certain cultivated forms are blanched to make Belgian endive, and roots are roasted as a coffee substitute or source of inulin, a prebiotic fiber. It is also an excellent nectar source for pollinators. In gardens it is undemanding, but can self-seed if not deadheaded. Handle the milky sap with care, as it may irritate sensitive skin.
Taxonomy
Properties & Requirements
How to care for Common chicory
Water
Keep soil evenly moist during germination and early establishment. Once established, water deeply but infrequently, supplying about 2.5 cm (1 inch) per week in dry spells. Allow the top 2–3 cm of soil to dry between waterings to encourage deep rooting and reduce bitterness. Avoid waterlogging—chicory’s taproot is prone to rot in saturated soil. Mulch to conserve moisture, especially on sandy sites. In containers, check more often; irrigate when the top few centimeters are dry and ensure excellent drainage.
Light
Provide full sun for best vigor, flowering, and root development—aim for 6–8+ hours of direct light daily. Chicory tolerates light to partial shade, especially in hot climates, where midday or afternoon shade can reduce leaf bitterness and slow bolting. Too much shade, however, leads to lanky growth and lodging. In containers or small gardens, choose a bright, open exposure and rotate pots periodically to keep stems upright and flowering uniform.
Nutrients
Chicory is a moderate feeder that performs best in soils enriched with organic matter rather than heavy fertilizer. Before sowing or transplanting, work in 2–5 cm of mature compost. If soil is poor, apply a light, balanced feed (e.g., 5-10-10 or similar) once after establishment and again midseason, focusing on potassium to support root quality. Avoid excess nitrogen, which encourages lush leaves, bitterness, and weak roots. Container-grown plants benefit from a dilute balanced liquid feed at 1/4 strength monthly during active growth. Cease fertilizing late in the season.
Temperature
Chicory prefers cool conditions, growing best between 15–21°C (59–70°F) and tolerating roughly 7–27°C (45–80°F). It withstands light frosts once established and basal rosettes often overwinter in temperate regions with good drainage and a light mulch. Heat and long days accelerate bolting and intensify bitterness; in hot-summer climates, grow as a spring and autumn crop or provide afternoon shade. Protect young seedlings from hard freezes; mature plants are resilient but prolonged waterlogged cold can damage roots.
