How to grow Radicchio in Australia
Radicchio is a red-leaved chicory that forms a tight head of deep red leaves with white veins and a pleasantly bitter bite. It is a cool-season crop: cold weather deepens its colour and mellows its flavour, while heat and dry soil make it green, loose and harsh. Grow it like lettuce, but give it longer.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Radicchio in Australia
At a glance
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | February to June | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | February to June | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | February to July | Extended cool season. Heads up better than in SEQ. |
| Melbourne & Victoria | February to August | Extended window. Frost improves flavour and colour. Melbourne ideal. |
| Adelaide & SA | February to July | Mediterranean staple. Adelaide conditions ideal for radicchio. |
| Perth & WA | March to July | Mediterranean staple. Perth ideal for radicchio and chicory. |
| Tasmania | November to February | Sow Nov to Feb so heads mature into autumn cold. Frost deepens colour and flavour. Tasmania suits it perfectly. |
| Canberra & ACT | December to March | Sow Dec to Mar for autumn and winter heads. Frost improves colour and flavour. |
| North Queensland | May to July | Dry season only. Short window. |
| Darwin & Top End | June and July | Dry season only. Very short window. |
Not to be confused with: Chicory, the same species grown for green heads or for forcing, and Endive, a close relative with frilly or broad green leaves.
Where to plant
Grow radicchio in an open, sunny spot in fertile, well-drained soil that holds moisture. It tolerates some shade, so it can grow between taller crops. Dig in plenty of compost or well-rotted manure a few weeks before sowing.
Radicchio needs cool weather to colour up and form firm heads. Sown so that it matures into autumn and winter, it develops its deep red colour and milder bitterness.
- Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth: ideal; sow from late summer through autumn and into winter.
- Sydney: sow from February to July; heads form better than in the subtropics.
- South East Queensland and the Northern Rivers: sow from February to June so the plants mature in the cool months.
- Hobart: sow from November to February so heads mature into the autumn cold.
- Canberra: sow from December to March for autumn and winter heads.
- North Queensland and Darwin: a short dry season window only, in the coolest months.
Choosing a variety
| Type | Notes |
|---|---|
| Chioggia (round red ball) | The classic round radicchio with deep red leaves and white ribs; reliable heading |
| Treviso | Long, upright heads like a red cos lettuce; a little milder |
| Castelfranco | Open rosette speckled green and red, with a mild flavour |
How to plant
- Sow seed thinly about 0.5 to 1 cm deep, direct in rows about 30 cm apart, or in punnets to transplant.
- Keep the soil moist. Seedlings appear within about a week.
- Thin or plant out at about 30 cm apart for heads, or 5 cm apart for baby salad leaves.
- Protect young seedlings from slugs and snails, especially in damp weather.
Watering and feeding
Keep watering steady and even. Dry soil makes the leaves more bitter and can make plants bolt. Mulch once plants are growing well to hold moisture and suppress weeds.
Radicchio in good soil needs little feeding. In containers, give a liquid feed every couple of weeks.
Pruning and care through the year
- Weed regularly while plants are young.
- Do not sow too early in the warm season; heat and, in some areas, sudden cold spells on young plants can cause bolting.
- Check the base of the plants and under outer leaves for slugs, which hide there.
Harvesting
Heads are ready when they feel firm and tightly packed, usually about 10 to 12 weeks after sowing. Cut the whole head at the base with a sharp knife. Some types resprout small leaves from the stump for a second pick.
For baby leaves, pick young leaves from closely spaced plants as a cut-and-come-again crop. Whole heads keep up to about two weeks in the fridge; cut radicchio keeps three to four days.
Growing in pots
Radicchio grows well in a pot or trough at least 25 to 30 cm wide in good potting mix. Water evenly and feed every couple of weeks.
Using it
Use radicchio raw in salads, where its bitterness pairs well with sweet fruit, nuts and rich cheeses. Grilling, roasting or braising mellows the bitterness, and it is also good in risotto and pasta.
Companion planting
Radicchio is a compact, cool-season leaf that fits between other crops in the bed.
Good companions
Pests and diseases
Radicchio is fast and low maintenance; slugs and heat stress cause most problems.
Pests to watch for
- Slugs and snails (slugs and snails) Ragged holes in leaves and slime trails, with slugs hiding at the base.
- Aphids Small soft insects clustered deep in the heads and under leaves.
Diseases to watch for
- Bottom rot Lower leaves touching wet soil turn brown and slimy, spreading into the head. Mulch, avoid overhead watering and space plants.
- Tipburn Brown, dry edges on the inner leaves in hot weather, linked to uneven watering. Keep water steady.
Common questions
Why is my radicchio green instead of red?
Radicchio colours up in cool weather. Grown through warm spells it often stays green and loose. Sow so the heads mature in autumn and winter.
Why is my radicchio so bitter?
Some bitterness is the point, but dry soil and heat make it harsher. Keep watering even, grow it in the cool season, and cook it by grilling or roasting to mellow it.
When is radicchio ready to harvest?
When the head feels firm and tightly packed, usually about 10 to 12 weeks after sowing. Cut it at the base; some types resprout.
Is radicchio the same as chicory?
Radicchio is a red-leaved type of chicory. Other chicories are grown for green heads or forced in the dark for pale chicons.
Can I grow radicchio in Queensland?
Yes, in south east Queensland sow from February to June so it matures in the cool, dry months. In the tropics the window is short and only in the dry season.
Why did my radicchio not form a head?
Usually heat, uneven watering or crowding. Grow it in the cool season, keep the soil evenly moist and space plants about 30 cm apart.
Sources we checked: RHS: How to grow chicory (including radicchio).