Cichorium intybus aka Chicory

Taxonomy

Genus Cichorium Family Asteraceae Order Asterales Class Magnoliopsida Phylum Tracheophyta

Cichorium intybus, also known as common chicory or witloof chicory, is a somewhat woody, perennial herbaceous plant that is native to the Old World but has been introduced to the Americas and Australia. It belongs to the Asteraceae family and usually has bright blue flowers, though white or pink varieties also exist. Many varieties are cultivated for their salad leaves, blanched buds (chicons), or roots, which are baked, ground, and used as a coffee substitute and food additive. Inulin, an extract from chicory root, is also used in food manufacturing as a sweetener and source of dietary fiber. Chicory is grown as a forage crop for livestock. However, it can be weedy and invasive in fields, pastures, and along roadsides, especially in North America. "Chicory" is also the common name in the United States for curly endive (Cichorium endivia), which is a salad green. Despite its weedy appearance, witloof chicory plants have a double life and are responsible for the production of chicons, a bittersweet winter salad green that is considered a culinary delicacy in the U.S.

Common names

Chicory, Chickory, Belgium Endive, Coffeeweed

How to care for Chicory

Difficulty

Chicory presents a moderate level of care, which allows plant enthusiasts with some experience to expand their skills and knowledge.

Water

Chicory should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Chicory loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Chicory thrives in bright and direct sunlight. To ensure your plant receives enough light to survive, place it less than one foot from a window. The current weather in your area may affect the placement in your home. For example, if you live in a region that has longer and more intense periods of sunlight, then you may want to place the plant farther away from the window to avoid direct sunlight and reduce the risk of sunburn. Alternatively, if you live in a region with relatively milder temperatures and less intense sunlight, then you may be able to place the plant closer to the window for increased exposure. Ultimately, the current weather in your area should be taken into consideration when determining the best placement for your Belgium Endive.

Dormancy

During the wintertime, it's common for Chicory to go dormant and their growth may slow down, so waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

No verified data on the toxicity of this plant exists within Ploi's records. Should you, someone in your family, or your pet ingest plant material with an unknown toxicity level, it is recommended to seek medical advice.

Growth-pattern

Chicory grows vertically and new growth emerges from the top of the plant.

Region of origin

Chicory’s native range is Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to N. Africa and W. Asia.

More info:
Wikipedia

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