How to grow Endive in Australia
Sow endive in full sun to part shade in moist, fertile, free-draining soil. Water steadily for tender leaves, as dry plants turn bitter.
At a glance
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Sun: Part shade
- Water: 4 litres a week, watered every 2 days
- Spacing: 25 cm
- Time to harvest: 45 days
- Time to germinate: 8 days
- Soil pH: 5.5 to 7
- Frost tolerance: Half hardy
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | March to August | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | March to August | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | March to August | |
| Melbourne & Victoria | February to August | Sow Feb to Aug. Autumn sowings heart up in the cool; blanch the centre for milder leaves. Summer sowings bolt and turn bitter. |
| Adelaide & SA | March to September | Sow Mar to Sep. Hardier than lettuce through winter; summer sowings bolt and turn bitter. |
| Perth & WA | February to August | Sow Feb to Aug. Hardier than lettuce; stands through the Perth winter without bolting. |
| Tasmania | August to February | Sow Aug to Feb. Summer sowings mature into autumn cold for the best hearts. |
| Canberra & ACT | November to March | Sow Nov to Mar for autumn and winter heads; frost improves flavour. Not the autumn sowing used in SEQ. |
| North Queensland | May to August | Dry season May to Aug. SEQ Mar to Apr sowings are still in the wet. |
| Darwin & Top End | May to August | Dry season May to Aug. SEQ Mar start is too wet. |
Varieties
- Green Curled (Frisee)
- Broad-Leaved Batavian (Escarole)
Companion planting
Good companions
Harvest and storage
Harvest tip
Cut the whole head when full and leafy, or pick outer leaves as needed. Blanching the centre first reduces bitterness; outer picking lets it keep growing.
Storage
Fridge in a sealed bag, up to 5 days.