Clio

Family: Asteraceae Vegetable

Silky, tender leaves with a bright, lemony bite—Clio Italian Dandelion brings a fresh, lively flavor that feels crisp and clean from the first harvest.

The foliage forms an elegant rosette, with a refined texture that stays pleasantly supple for salads and quick sautéed greens, and it also shines in savory sauces and pickled preparations for a tangy, garden-bright finish. Grow Clio for a dependable 45-day turn to flavorful greens that look as good as they taste.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 45 DaysHabit: Rosette

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

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Apr 4th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jun 9th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	45
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Surface
Germination Temp (°F)	55
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	5

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Clio’s tender leaves carry a distinct lemony edge with a soft crunch that doesn’t turn woolly when heat hits—so it’s built for fast sautéing and for salads that need a sharp green snap. Pair it with salty dairy and bright acids (vinegar/lemon) to sharpen the flavor instead of muting the bite.

Best Uses

raw salads where you want a clean, citrusy snap
quick sautéed greens in olive oil with a splash of vinegar to keep them supple
folded into egg dishes (omelets or frittata) for a fresh, bitter-lift
pickled preparations for a tangy, garden-bright bite

Flavor Profile

bright lemony bite silky-tender crunch mildly bitter, pleasantly green finish

Kitchen Pairings

extra-virgin olive oil lemon balsamic vinegar parmesan feta runny eggs

Frequently Asked Questions

Clio (Cichorium intybus) leaves—how do I treat powdery mildew or rust if it shows up?

Watch for white powdery patches or orange/brown rust specks on older Cichorium intybus leaves, especially in humid, crowded growth. Remove and discard the worst leaves immediately and improve airflow by thinning plants so leaves aren’t touching. Water at the soil line (not over the canopy) and, if conditions persist, apply an appropriate fungicide labeled for powdery mildew/rust on edible greens according to the label directions.

How often should I water Clio during the main 40–45 day growth to keep the roots and leaves growing?

During the main growing phase, keep the top 1–2 in (2–5 cm) of soil consistently moist but not soggy, typically about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week depending on heat and soil type. Aim for deeper, less-frequent watering so the soil stays evenly moist; let the surface dry slightly between waterings to avoid stress and disease. If leaves start to look dull or bitter, adjust toward more consistent moisture rather than letting the soil swing dry then wet.

When is Clio (Cichorium intybus) ready to harvest, and how do I know?

Harvest at about 45 days when plants form a firm rosette with good leaf size and the bitterness is mild enough for eating. Check that outer leaves are fully expanded—use a “cut-and-come-again” approach by taking outer leaves first rather than pulling the whole plant. If leaves get very small, tough, or the plant is bolting, harvest immediately and remove the plant to prevent seed stalk formation from ruining texture.