How to grow Chicory in New Zealand
Chicory (Cichorium intybus) is a hardy, deep-rooted plant grown for its bitter leaves, its roots and, in the witloof form, the pale forced heads called chicons. The roots can be roasted and ground as a caffeine-free coffee substitute, and if left to flower it covers itself in sky-blue flowers that bees love. In the warm north it is best treated as an autumn and winter crop.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Chicory in New Zealand
At a glance
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| Northland | August to October, January to April | |
| Auckland | August to October, January to April | |
| Waikato & Bay of Plenty | August to October, January to April | |
| Central North Island | August to October, January to April | |
| Wellington & Lower North Island | August to October, January to April | |
| Nelson & Marlborough | August to October, January to April | |
| Canterbury | August to March | Keep sowing through Nov to Dec with steady watering. Make the last sowing in Mar so the crop is ready before winter growth stops. |
| Otago & Southland | September to February | Start spring sowings in Sep; the soil is too cold before then. Cool summers let you keep sowing through Nov to Dec. Make the last sowing in Feb so the crop is ready before winter growth stops. |
| Central Otago | September to January | Start spring sowings in Sep; the soil is too cold before then. Keep sowing through Nov to Dec with steady watering. Make the last sowing in Jan so the crop is ready before winter growth stops. |
Not to be confused with: Radicchio and Endive, close relatives also grown for bitter salad leaves. Witloof chicory is sold as Belgian endive.
Where to plant
Grow chicory in full sun in deep, well-drained soil. It is hardy, deep rooted and copes with dry spells once established. In the warm north, sow it for autumn and winter, as summer heat makes the leaves more bitter and plants run to flower.
- Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty, the central North Island, Wellington, and Nelson and Marlborough: sow from August to October and January to April.
- Canterbury: sow from August through to March, keeping November and December sowings well watered.
- Otago and Southland: sow from September to February, as the soil is too cold before then.
- Central Otago: sow from September to January.
Choosing a variety
- Leaf chicory and Catalogna (puntarelle): upright, dandelion-like bitter leaves and shoots, picked young.
- Witloof (Belgian endive): grown for its roots, which are lifted in autumn and forced in the dark to produce pale, mild chicons. Sow October to December; seedlings do not transplant well.
- Treviso and other radicchios: red, bitter heads; see our radicchio page.
- Forage chicory: a hardy perennial grown as palatable, nutritious feed for stock, poultry and rabbits.
How to plant
- Sow seed about 6 mm deep, directly where it is to grow or in trays. Witloof is best sown directly.
- Keep moist; seedlings appear in 7 to 14 days.
- Thin or transplant to 15 to 30 cm apart in rows 30 cm apart.
- Water in and mulch with pea or lucerne straw.
Watering and feeding
Water regularly while plants establish and in dry spells, which keeps the leaves more tender and less bitter. Chicory needs little feeding.
Pruning and care through the year
- Keep the bed weeded while plants are young.
- Leave a plant or two to flower if you want blue flowers for the bees.
- After cutting leaves at the base, the root can be left in the soil to regrow.
Harvesting
Pick individual young leaves as they grow, or cut the whole plant about two months after planting. The inner leaves near the heart are the least bitter.
For witloof, lift the roots in autumn, trim off the leaves just above the crown, and stand the roots upright in pots of damp sand or soil in complete darkness. Pale, tender chicons form over a few weeks.
For a coffee substitute, lift roots, wash and chop them, dry and roast them until brown, then grind. Leaves keep a week wrapped in the fridge; dried roots keep for months.
Growing in pots
Leaf chicory grows well in a pot at least 30 cm wide and deep, in full sun. Pick the leaves young.
Using it
Use young leaves raw in salads, or sauté or braise older leaves with garlic and olive oil to soften the bitterness. Chicons are good raw, braised or baked. Roasted, ground roots make a caffeine-free coffee substitute.
Companion planting
Chicory is a deep-rooted crop that shares a bed easily.
Good companions
Pests and diseases
Chicory is hardy and has few serious problems.
Pests to watch for
- Aphids New leaves distorted and yellow, with sooty mould.
- Slugs Large ragged holes and silvery trails.
- Snails Chewed leaf edges after damp nights.
- Caterpillars Chewed leaves with black droppings.
Diseases to watch for
- Leaf spot Brown spots on outer leaves; remove affected leaves.
Common questions
Why is my chicory so bitter?
Bitterness is part of chicory's character, but heat and dry soil make it stronger. Grow it in the cooler months, keep it watered, and pick the inner leaves, which are milder.
How do I grow witloof chicons?
Sow witloof from October to December, lift the roots in autumn, trim off the leaves, then stand the roots in damp sand or soil in complete darkness. Pale chicons form over a few weeks.
Can I use chicory roots as coffee?
Yes. Wash, chop, dry and roast the roots until brown, then grind them for a caffeine-free coffee substitute.
When do I sow chicory in New Zealand?
From August to October and January to April in most regions. In the north, treat it as an autumn and winter crop; in Otago and Southland, sow from September to February.
Is chicory good for bees?
Yes. If you let it flower, it produces masses of blue flowers that bees love.
Is chicory the same as endive?
They are close relatives. Witloof chicory is sold as Belgian endive, but curly and broad-leaved endive are a different species.
Sources we checked: Yates NZ: How to grow chicory; Yates NZ: Common problems of chicory; Kings Seeds: Chicory Witloof; Kings Seeds: Chicory Treviso; Kings Seeds: Chicory (forage).