Top 20 Varieties of Endive to Grow: Tips, Advice, and Facts

Endive is a leafy green vegetable from the chicory family, known for its slightly bitter flavor and crisp texture. It’s widely used in salads, as well as cooked dishes, and comes in two main types: curly endive (also known as frisée) and broad-leaved endive (escarole). Endive is rich in vitamins A, K, and fiber, making it a nutritious addition to your diet. Growing endive is relatively easy, especially during cooler months, and with the right care, it can provide you with a continuous harvest. Here’s your guide to the top 20 endive varieties to grow, with helpful tips, facts, and answers to common questions.

Top 20 Endive Varieties to Grow

1. Frisée (Curly Endive)

Tips: Frisée grows best in full sun with well-drained soil. Water regularly to keep the leaves tender and reduce bitterness.
Facts: This variety produces finely curled, light green leaves with a slightly bitter flavor. It’s perfect for adding texture to salads or using as a garnish.

2. Broad-Leaved Batavian (Escarole)

Tips: Escarole prefers full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. Water consistently to keep the leaves tender and mild.
Facts: This variety has broad, smooth leaves with a milder flavor than curly endive. It’s great for fresh salads, soups, or braising.

3. Salad King

Tips: Salad King grows well in full sun and rich, moist soil. Water consistently to ensure tender, crisp leaves.
Facts: Known for its heat tolerance and slow-bolting characteristics, Salad King produces large, tender leaves perfect for fresh salads or cooking.

4. Bianca Riccia

Tips: Bianca Riccia prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Water regularly to prevent the leaves from becoming tough.
Facts: This variety produces finely curled, light green leaves with a mildly bitter flavor. It’s great for fresh salads or as a garnish.

5. Green Curled Ruffec

Tips: Green Curled Ruffec thrives in full sun with moist, well-drained soil. Water regularly to keep the leaves tender and sweet.
Facts: This heirloom variety produces tightly curled, dark green leaves with a mildly bitter flavor. It’s perfect for adding texture to salads or using as a garnish.

6. Very Fine Curled

Tips: Very Fine Curled grows best in full sun and rich, well-drained soil. Water regularly to keep the leaves crisp and reduce bitterness.
Facts: This variety produces finely curled leaves with a slightly bitter flavor, perfect for adding texture to salads or as a garnish.

7. Cornetto di Bordeaux

Tips: Cornetto di Bordeaux grows well in full sun and fertile soil. Water consistently to ensure tender, mild leaves.
Facts: This Italian variety produces broad, smooth leaves with a slightly sweet, mild flavor. It’s great for salads, soups, or braising.

8. Full Heart Batavian

Tips: Full Heart Batavian prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Water regularly to keep the leaves tender and mild.
Facts: This escarole variety produces broad, green leaves with a crisp texture and mild flavor. It’s perfect for fresh salads or cooking.

9. Rhodos

Tips: Rhodos grows best in full sun and fertile, moist soil. Water consistently to prevent bolting and keep the leaves tender.
Facts: This curly endive variety produces dark green, finely curled leaves with a mildly bitter flavor. It matures in about 60-70 days and is great for fresh eating or garnishing.

10. Natacha

Tips: Natacha thrives in full sun and rich, well-drained soil. Water consistently to keep the leaves tender and sweet.
Facts: This escarole variety produces large, broad leaves with a mild, slightly bitter flavor. It matures in about 60 days and is perfect for fresh salads or cooking.

11. Frisée de Meaux

Tips: Frisée de Meaux grows best in full sun with regular watering. Mulch to retain soil moisture and reduce bitterness.
Facts: This French heirloom variety produces finely curled, light green leaves with a slightly bitter flavor. It’s perfect for fresh salads or garnishing.

12. Cœur Plein

Tips: Cœur Plein grows well in full sun with moist, well-drained soil. Water regularly to keep the leaves tender and mild.
Facts: This escarole variety produces broad, smooth leaves with a crisp texture and mild flavor. It’s great for soups, braising, or adding to salads.

13. Pancalieri a Costa Bianca

Tips: Pancalieri a Costa Bianca prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Water consistently to keep the leaves tender.
Facts: This Italian variety produces large, deeply serrated leaves with a mild, slightly sweet flavor. It’s perfect for fresh eating, soups, or cooking.

14. Rouge de Verona

Tips: Rouge de Verona thrives in full sun and rich, well-drained soil. Water regularly to prevent the leaves from becoming tough.
Facts: This Italian variety produces broad, red-tinged leaves with a slightly bitter flavor. It’s great for adding color and flavor to salads or cooking.

15. Géante Maraîchère

Tips: Géante Maraîchère grows best in full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. Water consistently to keep the leaves tender and reduce bitterness.
Facts: This French heirloom variety produces large, tender leaves with a mild, slightly bitter flavor. It’s perfect for fresh salads, soups, or braising.

16. Broad-Leaved Frisée

Tips: Broad-Leaved Frisée prefers full sun and moist, well-drained soil. Water regularly to ensure tender, sweet leaves.
Facts: This variety produces finely curled, dark green leaves with a mildly bitter flavor. It’s ideal for adding texture to salads or using as a garnish.

17. Blonde à Cœur Plein

Tips: Blonde à Cœur Plein thrives in full sun and fertile, moist soil. Water consistently to prevent the leaves from becoming tough.
Facts: This French heirloom variety produces broad, light green leaves with a crisp texture and mild flavor. It’s perfect for fresh eating, cooking, or braising.

18. Frisée Très Fine

Tips: Frisée Très Fine grows well in full sun and well-drained soil. Water regularly to keep the leaves tender and reduce bitterness.
Facts: This variety produces finely curled, light green leaves with a mild, slightly bitter flavor. It’s great for adding texture to salads or using as a garnish.

19. Barba di Cappuccino

Tips: Barba di Cappuccino grows best in full sun and rich, moist soil. Water consistently to keep the leaves tender and sweet.
Facts: This Italian variety produces finely curled, dark green leaves with a mild, slightly bitter flavor. It’s perfect for fresh salads, garnishing, or cooking.

20. Chicorée Cornet de Bordeaux

Tips: Chicorée Cornet de Bordeaux prefers full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. Water regularly to ensure tender, mild leaves.
Facts: This French heirloom variety produces broad, smooth leaves with a mild flavor, perfect for fresh salads or braising.

Common Questions About Growing Endive

Q: When should I plant endive?
A: Endive is a cool-season crop and should be planted in early spring for summer harvests or in late summer for fall and winter harvests. It grows best in temperatures between 50-70°F (10-21°C).

Q: Can I grow endive in containers?
A: Yes, endive can be grown in containers as long as the pots are at least 8-12 inches deep and wide, with good drainage. Compact varieties like ‘Salad King’ or ‘Frisée’ are particularly suited for container gardening.

Q: How long does endive take to grow?
A: Endive typically takes 60-85 days to mature, depending on the variety. Early-maturing varieties like ‘Salad King’ may be ready in about 50 days, while larger types like ‘Full Heart Batavian’ may take up to 85 days.

Q: How do I know when endive is ready to harvest?
A: Endive is ready to harvest when the leaves are large and tender. For escarole, harvest when the heads are about 6-8 inches in diameter. Curly endive can be harvested leaf by leaf, as needed.

Q: How do I store harvested endive?
A: Freshly harvested endive can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. For longer storage, wrap the leaves in a damp paper towel and store them in a plastic bag to prevent wilting.