Bianca Riccia

Family: Asteraceae Vegetable

Silken, pale hearts unfurl in a cool, luminous rosette—Bianca Riccia delivers a crisp, delicately sweet bite with a gently nutty finish.

The leaves are richly ruffled and tightly layered, forming an elegant head that stays tender and bright through the season. Grow Bianca Riccia for fresh salads, refined braises, and graceful additions to savory tarts and gratins, where its clean texture shines.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 70 DaysHabit: Rosette

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 18th
Harvest Begins	Jun 27th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	70
Sun Requirements	Part Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Bianca Riccia’s pale, tightly packed hearts deliver that prized endive texture—crisp before heat, silky after a brief braise—without veering aggressively bitter. It’s the kind of leafy green that makes a vinaigrette taste sharper and a bake taste rounder, because the nutty sweetness stays clean through the cook.

Best Uses

cut-to-chiffon fresh salads that hold vinaigrette without turning bitter
braise or sweat into a glossy, mellow side—keeps structure in a short cook
savory tarts and galettes where the ruffled leaves form an elegant, edible frame
gratin-style baked layers that go tender at the edges while staying pleasantly crisp

Flavor Profile

crisp, cool snap delicately sweet palate gently nutty finish tightly layered, tender leaves

Kitchen Pairings

lemon juice mustard (Dijon) butter Parmesan hazelnuts prosciutto

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if Bianca Riccia develops powdery mildew or leaf spots?

In warm, humid weather, inspect Bianca Riccia leaves weekly for a dusty white coating or dark, irregular spots. Remove and discard the worst leaves, then space plants to improve airflow and water the soil (not the foliage). If it’s spreading, spray with a labeled horticultural fungicide (follow the label for edible crops) and repeat at the interval on the label.

How often should I water Bianca Riccia during its main growing phase?

During active growth (about weeks 3–8), keep the top 1 inch of soil evenly moist but not soggy—water when that layer starts to dry. Aim for deep watering so the root zone wets thoroughly, then let excess drain; Bianca Riccia does not do well in consistently waterlogged soil.

How can I tell when Bianca Riccia is ready to harvest at ~70 days?

Harvest when plants reach full size and the leaves are crisp and well-formed (not limp or overly small), typically around 70 days from sowing. For best quality, pick in the morning after temperatures are cool; if leaves begin to look tough, dull, or start deteriorating, harvest immediately.