Cichorium intybus

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Cichorium intybus (Chickory), Sheffield's Seed Co., Inc.

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Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz

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Florent

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Silaeva Tatiana Borisovna

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David Morgan

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Growing Info

Scarification: none required

Stratification: none required

Germination: surface sow and keep moist, requires light for germination

Native to: Africa, Asia, Europe

Native

Introduced

Cichorium intybusCichorium intybus

Chicory

In Stock: 3.534 lb (Total:3.534lb)

Cichorium intybus

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3.53 lb

Details

Germination:

87%

Germination test:

Actual

Purity:

97%

Seeds per lb:

303,707

Quantity:

3.53 lb

Collected in:

New Zealand

Crop year:

2024

Min. hardiness zone:

Item ID:

1835920

Characteristics

Growing Info

Scarification: none required

Stratification: none required

Germination: surface sow and keep moist, requires light for germination

Native to: Africa, Asia, Europe

Native

Introduced

Discover the beauty and versatility of Cichorium intybus, commonly known as Chicory, a striking herbaceous perennial increasingly admired for its vibrant blue flowers. Native to Europe, central Russia, and western Asia, this plant has adeptly naturalized across much of North America and beyond, thriving in USDA zones 3-9. Often seen along roadsides, railways, and in neglected spaces, Chicory transforms landscapes with its resilient presence without intruding into untouched natural habitats.

Belonging to the aster family, Chicory has been cultivated for centuries, prized for its leaves, buds, and roots. While the young leaves offer a distinctively bitter flavor when eaten raw, cooking reduces the bitterness, making them perfect for diverse culinary applications. The roots, particularly from the variety sativum, continue to serve as a coffee substitute in many parts of the world, notably in New Orleans, and are explored as a forage crop due to potential benefits for livestock as a natural antiparasitic.

In its second season, Chicory displays wiry, branched stems reaching up to four feet, adorned with clusters of enchanting sky blue, and occasionally pink or white, flowers. These blossoms, with their unique strap-shaped petals and intricate blue anthers, attract bees, flies, and butterflies, adding a dynamic ecosystem-friendly element to gardens. While chicory seeds are heavier and less dispersible than dandelions, they propagate with ease, suggesting careful cultivation in well-drained soils to maximize growth, whether for leafy greens or robust roots.