Capellina

Family: Asteraceae Vegetable

Silken, tightly layered heads of Capellina endive unfurl with a cool, crisp snap and a gently bittersweet, nutty depth that lingers pleasantly on the palate.

At maturity around 70 days, the rosette forms a compact, elegant silhouette with pale, creamy interiors and crisp outer leaves for satisfying texture. Ideal for fresh salads, as well as for braising and roasting to bring out its mellow sweetness in bold, flavorful presentations.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 70 DaysHabit: Rosette

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

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 28th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jul 4th
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)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	32
Harden Off (days)	5

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Capellina’s tightly layered, pale interiors stay crisp while the outer leaves give way pleasantly—bitterness reads as nutty, not harsh. Roast or braise it gently and finish with lemon or a salty cheese so the sweetness comes forward instead of getting dulled.

Best Uses

raw rosette salads where it can hold a vinaigrette without going watery
quick pan-roast or oven roast to soften the edges into caramelized, mellow sweetness
braise in a light, savory broth to turn bitterness into a silky, nutty gloss
shave-and-toss applications with fattier dressings (it stands up to richness)

Flavor Profile

cool, crisp snap gently bittersweet finish nutty, mellow depth silken, tightly layered crunch

Kitchen Pairings

lemon aged Parmesan walnuts goat cheese butter prosciutto

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects Cichorium endivia (frisée types like Capellina), and what should I do?

Fungal downy mildew and leaf spotting can develop in cool, damp weather, often first appearing as pale patches or speckling on the leaves. Remove affected leaves early, improve airflow by thinning to recommended spacing, and avoid wetting the foliage when watering. If the problem keeps spreading, use an appropriate labeled fungicide for leafy greens and follow the label’s reapplication interval.

How often should I water Cichorium endivia during the main growth phase?

Keep the soil consistently lightly moist from transplanting (or emergence) through head/leaf development—aim for even moisture rather than cycles of drought and flooding. In part sun and mild temperatures, this is often about 2–3 deep waterings per week, but adjust to rainfall and soil drainage so the top few centimeters don’t dry out. Water at soil level in the morning to reduce leaf wetness, which can trigger spotting and mildew.

How can I tell when Capellina (Cichorium endivia) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when leaves are fully formed and feel crisp, typically around 70 days from sowing (give or take a week depending on temperature). The best indicator is size and texture: outer leaves should be sturdy enough to hold shape, not limp or overly small. For peak quality, harvest before significant bitter toughening—young, well-expanded leaves harvested in the morning taste best.