Frisee

Family: Asteraceae Vegetable

Frisee endive brings a crisp, lively crunch with a pleasantly bitter edge and a delicate, nutty sweetness that lingers on the palate.

Its tightly ruffled, feathery heads form a dense rosette of pale green to creamy yellow leaves, delivering a fine, tender texture that stays crisp from garden to bowl. Grow Frisee for elegant fresh salads and for stirring into warm sautés and savory sauces, where its distinctive frill and brightness shine.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 55 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 12th
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)	60
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	32
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Frisee’s ruffled leaves bring crisp texture and a clean, bitter edge that lifts anything heavy on the plate—think lemony vinaigrettes and porky fats. Because it stays lively and crunchy, it’s best added early only in dressings that can coat without soaking it into mush.

Best Uses

tossed salads with a sharp vinaigrette that clings to ruffles
warm sauté or skillet toss where it wilts quickly but keeps some bite
thin shaving as a topper for rich, fatty mains (won’t get lost)
stirring into savory braises/sauces near the end for brightness

Flavor Profile

crisp, feathery crunch pleasant bitterness nutty-sweet finish bright, cool acidity

Kitchen Pairings

lemon vinaigrette bacon or lardons gruyère or parmesan shallot (or chive) + garlic aromatics creamy mustard dressing poached egg

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most common frisée (Cichorium endivia) pest or disease, and how do I treat it?

Leaf diseases like powdery mildew and downy mildew can show up when frisée is crowded and leaves stay wet. Improve airflow by thinning to the recommended spacing, water at the soil line (not onto leaves), and remove heavily affected leaves; for active mildew, use a label-approved fungicide for edible greens and reapply as directed. Watch closely for aphids on tender growth—spray with a strong jet of water and, if needed, use insecticidal soap targeted to the undersides of leaves.

How often should I water frisée during the main growing phase?

During the main growing phase, keep the soil evenly moist so heads build up well—typically about 1 inch (2–3 cm) of water per week, adjusted for rainfall and container size. Water deeply when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry, because inconsistent moisture can cause bitter, thin leaves and bolting. Mulch lightly to stabilize soil moisture, but don’t mound mulch against the crown.

How do I know when frisée (Cichorium endivia) is ready to harvest?

Harvest at about 55 days when plants form tight, crisp heads and the outer leaves are fully developed but still tender. Pick on a dry morning and cut the head at the soil surface, then trim to use the pale, frilly inner leaves first. If tips start to elongate or you see early flower stalks, harvest immediately—once frisée bolts it becomes more bitter and tough.