🎨 AI-generated botanical illustration
🌱 Chicory (Root)
Cichorium intybus
tea_and_beverage
perennial
☀️ Sun
full sun
💧 Water
moderate
🗺️ Zones
[3,4,5,6,7,8,9]
🧪 Soil pH
5.5-7.5
🪴 Soil Type
well-drained, deep sandy loam
📏 Spacing
6-8 inches
📐 Height
2-4 ft
⏱️ Maturity
120 days (roots); leaves continuously
🤝 Companions (3)
🤝 Carrot
Both root crops; complementary root depths
🤝 Carrot
Both deep-rooted crops; chicory's taproot breaks soil for carrots
🤝 Tomato
Chicory's deep taproot mines minerals for shallow-rooted tomatoes
⚠️ Keep Apart (1)
⚠️ none — but deep taproot competes with other deep-rooted crops in same bed
📝 Growing Notes
Same species as radicchio and Belgian endive — just different varieties selected for root, leaf, or head. Blue flowers on tall stems. Deep taproot mines minerals. Roots roasted at 350F until dark brown and brittle — grind and brew like coffee.
🛒 Buy Seeds & Plants
Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds
Johnny's Selected Seeds
Botanical Interests
True Leaf Market
Burpee
Territorial Seed Company
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