Salad King

Family: Asteraceae Vegetable

Tender, deeply curled fronds unfurl in a crisp rosette, with a clean, bright bite and a pleasantly mellow bitterness that lingers like fresh greens on the breeze.

Salad King’s leaves are richly textured—springy and finely ruffled—holding their shape beautifully for a satisfying, refreshing mouthfeel. Ideal for cool-season salads and elegant platters, this variety shines when served fresh, and it also lends its lively character to quick wilted greens and tangy pairings in savory preparations.

Light: Full 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	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	32
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Salad King’s deeply curled fronds stay structured under dressing, so you get crunch right through the last bite instead of wilting into a wet tangle. Its mellow bitterness makes it a knockout with sharp citrus and salty cured meats—use a bracing vinaigrette to keep it lively.

Best Uses

raw endive salads with assertive vinaigrettes
chopped salad platters where the curls need to stay intact
quick sauté/wilt (hot pan, short time) to soften without turning to mush
grilled/charred endive as a bitter-sweet foil to salty fats

Flavor Profile

bright, crisp green bite mellow-to-pleasant bitterness springy, finely ruffled leaf texture that holds shape clean finish with a lingering leafy snap

Kitchen Pairings

lemon Parmesan prosciutto balsamic vinegar olive oil garlic

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my Cichorium endivia (Salad King/Frisée-type) leaves turning brown or developing fuzzy growth, and what can I do?

This is often caused by foliar fungal issues like downy mildew or gray mold when plants stay wet and air can’t move through the rosette. Water at the soil line in the morning, space plants so leaves don’t touch, remove badly infected outer leaves, and avoid overhead irrigation. If problems persist, use a registered fungicide suitable for edible greens and follow label timing close to harvest.

How often should I water Cichorium endivia during the main growing phase (from establishment through leaf filling)?

Keep the soil evenly moist, not soggy: water when the top 1 inch (2–3 cm) starts to dry. During rosette growth, this usually means about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week total, adjusted for heat and rainfall. Consistent moisture helps prevent bitterness and slows stress-related leaf toughening.

How do I know when my Cichorium endivia (Salad King/Frisée-type) is ready to harvest?

Harvest at about 55 days when the rosette is fully formed and leaves are crisp with frilly edges but before the plant bolts. Pick in the morning when leaves are freshest, and look for tender inner leaves rather than coarse, elongated growth. You can harvest outer leaves first for multiple pickings, but stop if you see a central flower stalk starting to emerge.