De Meaux

Family: Asteraceae Vegetable

Tender, frilly hearts unfurl in a cool, luminous green—De Meaux Frisée Endive brings a crisp, pleasantly bitter snap with delicate, feathered texture.

The rosette forms tightly at maturity, delivering long, narrow leaves with a lively curl that holds its bite beautifully. Ideal for fresh salads and elegant garnishes, De Meaux also shines when paired in savory dishes and dressings for a bright, garden-fresh finish.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 55 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	Jun 19th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	55
Sun Requirements	Part Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	65
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	32
Harden Off (days)	5

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

De Meaux frisée is built for contrast: its tight rosette and feathered, frilly leaves keep a bright crunch even after dressing. Pair its clean bitterness with buttery fats and savory salt—bacon, gruyère, or a soft egg—so the rosette reads as crisp and lively, not harsh.

Best Uses

fresh frisée salad with warm vinaigrette (keeps its bite)
shaved frisée in a composed salad with creamy elements
folded into savory omelets or quick sauté—added late for crunch
garnish for rich proteins to cut through with bitter snap

Flavor Profile

crisp, frilly snap gentle-to-pronounced bitterness cool, vegetal freshness feathery texture that stays springy

Kitchen Pairings

sherry vinegar mustard vinaigrette bacon gruyère soft-poached egg butter

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most often affects Cichorium endivia (Frisée De Meaux), and how can I fix it?

Frisée commonly suffers from slug/snail damage and from downy mildew (cool, humid weather). For slugs, hand-pick at dusk and use copper tape or a gritty barrier around beds; avoid water sitting on leaves. For downy mildew, water at the soil line and space plants so air moves through the crown, then remove badly affected leaves to slow spread.

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

During the ~55-day growing period, keep the top few inches of soil evenly moist but not soggy—typically about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week, adjusted for heat and container size. Water in the morning at the base of the plant to prevent leaf wetness, especially as frisée tightens and fills out.

How do I tell when Frisée De Meaux (Cichorium endivia) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when heads are fully sized (about 55 days from sowing) and the leaves are crisp and tender, not bitter-tough or overly stretched. For the best texture, check the outer leaf size and firmness—cut just above the crown and harvest on dry days so leaves stay crisp.