How to grow Endive in Australia
Endive is a leafy salad green with a pleasantly bitter bite, grown in two main forms: frisee, with frilly, curled leaves, and escarole, with broad, flat leaves. It grows like lettuce but handles cold better, which makes it a good winter salad in most of Australia. Blanching the centre for a couple of weeks before picking gives pale, milder hearts.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Endive in Australia
At a glance
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. |
Not to be confused with: Chicory, a close relative that includes witlof and radicchio, and the pale Belgian endive sold in shops, which is really witlof.
Where to plant
Grow endive in full sun or part shade in moist, fertile, well-drained soil improved with compost. It is a cool-season crop. Hot or dry weather makes the leaves tough and very bitter and sends plants to seed, and a hard cold snap on very young plants can also cause bolting. In warm areas, afternoon shade helps late plantings.
Endive is more tolerant of cold than lettuce and stands well through winter, so it fills the gap when lettuce slows down.
- South East Queensland, the Northern Rivers and Sydney: sow from March to August.
- Melbourne and Perth: sow from February to August. Autumn sowings heart up in the cool; summer sowings bolt and turn bitter.
- Adelaide: sow from March to September. It is hardier than lettuce through winter.
- Hobart: sow from August to February. Summer sowings mature into the autumn cold, which gives the best hearts.
- Canberra: sow from November to March for autumn and winter heads, as frost improves the flavour. Cold soil stops germination in winter.
- North Queensland and Darwin: sow in the dry season, May to August.
Choosing a variety
| Type | Notes |
|---|---|
| Frisee, or curled endive (for example Green Curled) | Finely cut, frilly leaves. Copes better with warmer weather |
| Escarole, or Batavian endive (for example Broad-Leaved Batavian) | Broad, flat, slightly thicker leaves forming a looser head. Hardier, and the better choice for winter picking |
How to plant
- Sow seed thinly about 0.5 cm deep, direct or in punnets. Seed germinates best at about 20 to 22°C and needs at least 15°C, so late summer and autumn sowings come up fastest.
- Keep the soil moist until seedlings appear, usually within about a week.
- Transplant punnet seedlings while young, or thin direct-sown plants to about 25 to 35 cm apart. For baby leaves, leave them about 5 cm apart.
- Water in and mulch lightly once plants are established.
Watering and feeding
Water regularly so the soil stays evenly moist, especially in warm weather and free-draining soil. Dry plants turn bitter and bolt. Water the soil rather than the leaves, as wet hearts rot.
Feed lightly. Compost dug in before planting and a liquid feed every few weeks is plenty. Too much nitrogen gives soft, floppy leaves.
Blanching
Blanching keeps light from the centre of the plant, so the inner leaves grow pale, tender and much less bitter. Start when the plant is close to full size and the leaves are dry, as wet leaves rot when covered.
- Gather the outer leaves up over the heart and tie them loosely with soft string or a rubber band.
- Or cover the centre of the plant with a plate, a tile or an upturned bucket or pot.
- Blanching takes about two weeks, longer in cool weather. Blanch a few plants at a time, as blanched heads do not hold for long.
- Check under covers for slugs and snails, which love the tender blanched leaves.
Harvesting
Pick outer leaves as needed from about a month after sowing, which lets the plant keep growing. Whole heads are ready about three months after sowing. Cut the head at the base once the heart has blanched.
Endive keeps for up to about 5 days in a sealed bag in the fridge.
Growing in pots
Endive grows well in a pot or trough at least 25 cm wide, filled with quality potting mix. Keep it evenly moist, feed lightly every few weeks, and move the pot into afternoon shade in warm spells.
Using it
Use the pale hearts raw in salads, especially with a sharp vinaigrette, cheese or fruit, to balance the bitterness. The darker outer leaves are better cooked: braised with garlic and olive oil, added to soups and beans, or grilled.
Companion planting
Endive grows in the same cool season and conditions as other salad crops, so it fits into a mixed salad bed.
Good companions
Pests and diseases
Endive has the same few pests as lettuce. Slugs and snails do the most damage, especially under blanching covers.
Pests to watch for
- Slugs Ragged holes in the leaves and slime trails, worst in damp weather and under blanching covers.
- Snails Holes in leaves and silvery trails. Check plants after dark and under covers.
- Aphids Clusters of small soft insects in the heart and under the leaves. Hose them off.
Diseases to watch for
- Downy mildew Pale yellow patches on the upper side of leaves with greyish growth underneath, in cool, damp weather. Space plants for air and water the soil, not the leaves.
- Bottom rot Lower leaves touching the soil turn brown and slimy and the rot spreads into the head, in warm, wet weather. Mulch to keep leaves off wet soil.
Common questions
Why is my endive so bitter?
Endive is naturally bitter, and heat, dry soil and age make it more so. Grow it in the cool months, keep it evenly watered, and blanch the heart for about two weeks before picking for pale, milder leaves.
How do I blanch endive?
When the plant is near full size and the leaves are dry, tie the outer leaves together over the heart, or cover the centre with a plate or an upturned pot. After about two weeks the inner leaves are pale and milder.
What is the difference between endive and escarole?
They are the same plant. Curled endive, or frisee, has frilly, finely cut leaves. Escarole, or Batavian endive, has broad, flat leaves and is a little hardier in winter.
Is endive the same as witlof or chicory?
They are close relatives. The pale, torpedo-shaped Belgian endive sold in shops is witlof, a type of chicory grown from forced roots. Garden endive is a leafy green grown like lettuce.
When should I plant endive?
In most regions from late summer to winter: March to August in south east Queensland and Sydney, February to August in Melbourne and Perth. Canberra sows from November to March, Hobart from August to February, and the tropics in the dry season.
Why has my endive gone to seed?
Hot or dry weather, or a hard cold spell when the plants are very young, makes endive bolt. Sow at the right time for your region and keep the soil moist.
Sources we checked: RHS: Endive, grow your own; Harvest to Table: How to plant and grow endive and escarole.