Verona

Family: Asteraceae Vegetable

Crisp, cool-hearted heads of Verona radicchio arrive with a vivid, wine-red glow over tightly layered leaves—an eye-catching crunch that tastes pleasantly bitter with a sweet, nutty lift.

The texture is firm and snappy, forming compact rosettes that hold their shape beautifully from garden to table. Grow Verona for fresh salads, roasted wedges, and striking additions to braises and savory sauces where its bold color and classic radicchio bite shine.

Light: Full 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 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)	55
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Verona radicchio gives you that classic cool-bitter crunch with a sweet-nutty undercurrent, and the tight rosette structure means it doesn’t collapse into mush when heated. It’s a great choice when you want bitterness to show up—then soften at the edges—without losing the snap.

Best Uses

thin-shaved radicchio salad with a slippery, acidic dressing
roasted wedges on high heat until edges caramelize while the core stays firm
braised radicchio—simmered just until mellow but still fibrous at the bite
chopped radicchio for savory sauces where bitterness needs a fat-and-acid counterbalance

Flavor Profile

pleasantly bitter snap sweet, nutty lift cool, crisp leaf bite wine-red rosette firmness that stays crunchy

Kitchen Pairings

Parmigiano-Reggiano balsamic vinegar olive oil hazelnuts butter grilled sausage

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Cichorium intybus (indigo radicchio/“Verona”), and what’s the best at-home fix?

Watch for aphids and leaf spot; aphids cluster on new growth and can cause distorted leaves, while leaf spot shows as dark, wet-looking patches on foliage. Spray aphids off with a strong jet of water, then apply insecticidal soap if they return, and remove the worst affected leaves immediately to slow spread. Avoid wetting the leaves during watering and improve airflow around plants to reduce leaf-spot recurrence.

How often should I water Cichorium intybus during the main growing phase, and what soil moisture level should I maintain?

From sprouting through head/leaf development, keep the top 1–2 inches of soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. In typical home gardens, that’s often about 1–2 deep waterings per week, increasing frequency during hot or windy stretches—until plants are established, aim for steady moisture rather than letting soil swing dry then flood. Mulch helps prevent moisture spikes that can lead to bitterness and uneven growth.

How can I tell when “Verona” Cichorium intybus is ready to harvest?

Harvest at about 55 days when plants have formed tight, well-filled heads or rosettes and the outer leaves look firm rather than loose. Taste-test one leaf early if you’re unsure—raceme-type bitterness should be balanced and not overly harsh when ready. If growth stalls or the leaves get very thin under heat, check daily in the final week and harvest promptly.