Escarole

Family: Asteraceae Vegetable

Silky, broad leaves unfurl into a cool-toned rosette with a tender, gently bitter edge—deeply satisfying in flavor and remarkably forgiving in texture.

Escarole forms a generous, upright head of crisp, spoonable greens that hold their shape beautifully for bold, comforting dishes, from roasting and braising to hearty soups and savory sauces. Grow it for a steady harvest rhythm and a lush, garden-fresh presence at maturity.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 70 DaysHabit: Rosette

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

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 21st
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	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	30
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Escarole’s broad, spoonable leaves tame bitterness when they hit fat and heat, staying structured instead of collapsing. It’s built for braises and soups where you want greens that chew, not greens that disappear.

Best Uses

braise or sauté and let it mellow into a silky, spoon-thick side
toss into warm bean soups where it stays upright and not stringy
roast until edges bronze for a deeper, toast-kissed bitterness
chop for hearty greens sautés under cheese-forward finishes

Flavor Profile

mildly bitter, clean and green silky-tender leaves with a crisp spoonable bite savory, slightly nutty finish holds heat without turning to mush

Kitchen Pairings

anchovy lemon olive oil parmigiano reggiano white beans hot red pepper flakes

Frequently Asked Questions

What pests or diseases commonly affect Cichorium endivia (escarole), and how do I manage them?

Escarole is frequently hit by aphids and slugs/snails, and it can develop downy mildew or leaf spot in cool, wet weather. Check undersides of leaves weekly and spray insecticidal soap for aphids; hand-pick slugs at dusk or use bait designed for slugs to protect young heads. Improve airflow by spacing plants properly and water at the soil line to reduce leaf wetness, removing any heavily spotted leaves early.

How often should I water escarole during the main growing phase to keep it from getting bitter or stressed?

During active leaf growth, keep the top 1–2 inches of soil evenly moist but not soggy—typically about 1 inch of water per week depending on your heat and rainfall. Water deeply after the surface starts to dry, and avoid letting it swing from dry to drenched because stress can increase bitterness. Use mulch to stabilize moisture, especially during warm spells.

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

Harvest when heads are fully formed and reach your target size, usually around 70 days from sowing for typical schedules. Leaves should feel firm and the outer leaves should be well-grown, not floppy or thin. For the sweetest, less bitter flavor, blanch the outer leaves by tying them up or covering the crown a week before harvest (don’t cover to the point of trapping rot).