How to Grow Chicory in Australia
A cool-season leafy crop for the home garden
Growing Chicory at home is well within reach for most Australian gardeners, and this guide walks you through every step. It is rated intermediate to grow. Saves ~$6-10/pack on witlof. Coffee chicory root makes months of free coffee substitute.
This guide covers when to plant Chicory in your region, the position and soil it likes, how to sow and space it, day-to-day care, the pests and diseases to watch, and how to harvest and store your crop.
When to Plant in Your Region
Chicory is a cool-season crop, fully frost-hardy. In subtropical South-East Queensland it is sown in February, March, April, May and June. Timing shifts with your climate, so choose your region below for a local calendar.
Varieties to Try
Witlof (Belgian Endive)
Forced in darkness to produce pale, tightly-wrapped chicons. Sweet-bitter, crunchy. The classic dinner party leaf.
Try: Eden Seeds, Mr Fothergill's
Catalogna (Puntarelle)
Italian cutting chicory with hollow, asparagus-like shoots. Bitter, crunchy, Roman classic.
Try: Eden Seeds, Diggers
Coffee Chicory
Grown for the thick taproot, dried and roasted as a caffeine-free coffee substitute.
Try: Eden Seeds, Green Harvest
Position and Soil
Give Chicory full sun (at least 6 hours a day). It does best in free-draining soil with a pH around 5.5 to 7. Dig through plenty of compost before planting, and mulch to hold moisture and keep weeds down. It grows happily in a pot of 30cm+, which makes it a fine choice for balconies and courtyards.
Sowing and Spacing
Sow seed on the surface, barely covered. Thin or space plants to about 30 cm apart. Seedlings usually appear in around 10 days, fastest when the soil is between 10 and 22 degrees.
Versatile bitter green. Roots can be dried and roasted as a coffee substitute. Forcing roots in the dark produces witlof (Belgian endive). In SEQ, treat as an autumn-winter crop.
Care
Water consistently, roughly 4 L per plant every 2 days in warm weather, less in cool or wet spells. Feed every few weeks through the growing season with a balanced organic fertiliser, and keep mulch topped up.
Pests and Diseases
Keep an eye out for Aphids and Slugs. The main diseases to watch are Leaf spot. Good spacing, watering at the base rather than over the leaves, and crop rotation prevent most problems. See our Pest and Disease Guide to identify and fix any issue.
Harvesting and Storage
Chicory is typically ready to harvest in around 90 days (about 3 months). Fridge wrapped for up to 1 week. Roots dry and store for months.
In the Kitchen
In the kitchen, chicory is good leaves braised or grilled to mellow bitterness, roots roasted and ground as coffee, forced chicons eaten raw with blue cheese and shredded into winter salads. Nutritionally: rich in inulin prebiotic fibre and supports gut and liver health.
Companion Planting
Chicory grows well alongside Carrot and Beans. Our Companion Planting Guide has the full pairings.
Track Your Chicory Growing
Add chicory to your garden in the Planting Season app and get reminders for planting, care and harvest, tuned to your region.
Open the App →Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Chicory in Australia?
Chicory is a cool-season crop. In subtropical regions like South-East Queensland it is sown in February, March, April, May and June. Timing changes with your climate, so use the calendar above for your region.
How long does Chicory take to grow?
Chicory is generally ready to harvest in around 90 days (about 3 months).
Can I grow Chicory in a pot?
Yes. Chicory grows well in a container of 30cm+ with free-draining mix and regular watering.
How much sun does Chicory need?
Give it full sun (at least 6 hours a day) for the healthiest growth and best harvest.
See also: Chicory in the Plant Library
