Chicory will grow in almost any sunny spot and delight with brilliant pastel blue flowers year after year. Chicory is primarily grown as an ornamental, however it is also cultivated for its leaves, which are usually eaten raw as salad leaves. The roots of Chicory are used as a coffee substitute or additive. Chicory is a very versatile plant that is equally cherished as a flower and as an herb. Chicory seeds can be planted in the most challenging of conditions and actually tend to thrive in less than ideal soil. Chicory is often used to flavor coffees and teas.
Botanical Name: Cichorium intybus
Life Cycle: Biennial
Light Requirement: Full Sun/Partial Shade
Planting Season: Spring
Plant Type: Tough, Woody, Hairy Stems with Light Periwinkle-Colored Flowers
Features: Open Pollinated, Attracts Pollinators, Drought Tolerant, Fast Growing
Color: Blue
Blooms: Late Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall, Fall
Days to Maturity: 75 Days
Plant Height: Up to 4 feet
Plant Spacing: 8-12 inches
Planting Depth: 1/4 inch
Sowing Method: Direct Sow
Cold Stratification: No
Hardiness Zones: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9