Variegato Di Castelfranco

Family: Asteraceae Vegetable

Crisp, luminous hearts unfurl with a painterly variegation—creamy ivory to pale butter-yellow brushed through with deep rose-burgundy and cool green.

Variegato Di Castelfranco forms tight, compact rosettes with a satisfyingly snappy bite and a gently sweet, pleasantly bitter edge that lingers like fine radicchio. Grow it for striking fresh salads and elegant braising, or let its bold color shine in composed platters and pickled accents.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 60 DaysHabit: Rosette

Botanical illustration of Variegato Di Castelfranco

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 25th
Harvest Begins	Jun 24th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	60
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	45
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Variegato Di Castelfranco is a radicchio that stays crisp—use it raw when you want that snappy, snubber-bitter bite, or braise only until tender at the ribs so it doesn’t collapse. Its creamy ivory tones and cool, sweet-bitter flavor are made for bright acid and nutty, aged dairy.

Best Uses

shaved raw salad where it keeps its crisp bite under a light vinaigrette
pan-braised wedges to mellow bitterness while staying structured
grilled or roasted hearts for char-sweet contrast
composed platters where the ivory-burgundy color reads like edible artwork

Flavor Profile

snappy, tightly layered crunch gently sweet edge with pleasantly bitter finish cool, herbaceous bitterness that lingers

Kitchen Pairings

lemon extra-virgin olive oil aged pecorino hazelnuts balsamic vinegar butter

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Cichorium intybus (Variegato di Castelfranco), and how can I treat it?

Watch for lettuce aphids and slugs/snails, which can chew holes in the tender leaves and spread damage quickly in cool, wet spells. Rinse off aphids with a strong jet of water and release/encourage beneficial insects; for slugs and snails, hand-pick at dusk and use an iron-phosphate bait around the base. If you see dark, expanding leaf spots or fuzzy growth, remove affected leaves immediately and avoid wetting foliage—circulate air and keep beds evenly spaced.

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

During the 45–60 day main growth period, keep soil consistently evenly moist—water whenever the top 1 inch (2.5 cm) feels dry. Aim for deep watering so moisture reaches the root zone, rather than frequent light sprinkles that can encourage leaf disease. If plants wilt between waterings, increase the depth of watering; if soil stays soggy, reduce frequency to prevent rot.

How do I know when Cichorium intybus (Variegato di Castelfranco) is ready to harvest?

Harvest at about 60 days when heads are fully formed and firm, with tight, crisp leaf layers and visible variegation on the outer leaves. Lift or cut at the soil line when the plant feels solid and stops quickly expanding. For best texture, harvest in cool weather and before plants bolt or become loose.