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Herbaceous PerennialHerbs - Culinary

Cichorium intybus
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

chicory

A crop plant, a parent of cultivated chicory. The thick roots are also used to make a coffee substitute, and is sometimes seen naturalised. It has wiry, branching upright stems with numerous flowers distributed along the branches, growing tight to the stem, flowering throughout summer. They open in sunlight, but close in wet weather. The common form is a clear sky blue, but white and pink are also available. It is the original plant from which many types have been selected - Belgian chicory, Radicchio or red chicory, and Sugarloaf chicory

Other common names
barbe de capucin
blue dandelion
see moreblue sailors
bunk
French endive
succory
whitloof
witloof
coffee weed
ysgellog
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Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
1–2 years
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Blue Pink White Green
Autumn Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Asteraceae
Native to GB / Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus

Cichorium can be annual or perennial plants with loosely branched stems bearing toothed or pinnately lobed leaves and dandelion-like, usually blue flowers which close by early afternoon, in summer

Name status

Correct

Plant range
W Euras., N Africa

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. For more advice, follow chicory cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds or sowing seeds indoors for further advice

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Gravel garden
  • Coastal
  • Rock garden
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and snails damage

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews and rust disease

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