1000 Seeds Heirloom Broadleaf Batavian Endive Leafy Vegetable Garden Greens

Broadleaf Batavian endive is a classic heirloom chicory prized for its broad, light green leaves that form a full, upright head. Its mildly bitter flavor and crisp texture make it a favorite for fresh salads, and it grows reliably in cool weather for spring and fall harvests.

The leaves work well in mixed salads, where their slight bitterness balances sweeter greens, and the outer leaves also hold up nicely when lightly cooked or braised. This cool-season biennial grows as a leafy annual, forming loose to semi-heading rosettes that are typically harvested whole or leaf by leaf as needed.
Species: Cichorium endivia
Variety: Broadleaf Batavian
Type: Heirloom leafy vegetable
Plant Habit: Upright rosette forming broad heads
Sun: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Fertile, well-drained, moisture-retentive loam
Days to Harvest: 65 to 80 days
Zones: Annual in all zones; perennial in zones 7 to 10
Germination: 7 to 14 days at 60 to 70F
Sowing: Direct sow 1/4 inch deep in early spring or late summer
Spacing: 10 to 12 inches between plants, 12 to 18 inches between rows
Notes: Cool-season crop; leaves turn bitter in high heat, so time plantings for spring and fall