300 Chicory Seeds – Cichorium intybus Heirloom Vegetable & Coffee Substitute

Chicory (Cichorium intybus) is a versatile heirloom plant grown for its edible leaves and roots. The young leaves add a pleasantly bitter note to salads, while the roots can be roasted and ground as a caffeine-free coffee substitute. This hardy plant also produces attractive blue flowers that attract pollinators, making it a useful addition to vegetable gardens and wildlife-friendly landscapes.

Easy to grow from seed, chicory adapts to a range of conditions and is valued for its multiple uses. Whether you grow it as a leafy green, a root crop, or a flowering ornamental, it offers both practical and visual appeal.

Plant Features

• Heirloom variety with edible leaves and roots
• Roasted roots used as a coffee substitute
• Produces blue flowers that attract pollinators
• Hardy and adaptable to various soil types
• Dual-purpose: vegetable and ornamental

Growing Information

• Botanical Name: Cichorium intybus
• Plant Type: Perennial often grown as annual
• Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil: Well-drained, fertile soil
• Water Requirements: Moderate; keep soil evenly moist
• Growth Habit: Upright rosette with flowering stems
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-10
• Bloom Season: Summer to early fall
• Mature Height: 2-4 feet
• Spacing: 12-18 inches apart

Planting & Care

Sow chicory seeds outdoors in early spring or late summer, about 1/4 inch deep and 1 inch apart. Thin seedlings to stand 12-18 inches apart. Keep the soil consistently moist until germination, which typically occurs in 7-14 days. For a fall crop, sow seeds in late summer.

Chicory tolerates light frost and can be grown in most climates. Water regularly during dry spells, and mulch to conserve moisture. Harvest young leaves for salads or allow roots to mature for roasting. The plants will produce blue flowers in their second year if left to overwinter.

What's Included

300 Chicory seeds (Cichorium intybus).