How to Grow Catalogna Riccio
Catalogna Riccio
Cichorium intybus var. foliosum
vegetableCatalogna Riccio, also known as Italian Dandelion or Asparagus Chicory, is a leafy green vegetable with deeply cut, frilly leaves and a slightly bitter, pleasant flavor. It's a cool-season crop that produces tender greens ideal for salads and cooked dishes. This Italian heirloom variety is prized for its nutritional density and ease of cultivation.
When should you plant Catalogna Riccio in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Catalogna Riccio timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Catalogna Riccio
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
Harvest Catalogna Riccio
Around Jun 6≈ 50 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Catalogna Riccio dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Zones 4-10; thrives in cool to moderate climates and can be grown spring through fall
Sign up free to see if Catalogna Riccio grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Catalogna Riccio timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
2-3 weeksSmall, narrow seed leaves emerge within 7-10 days. Plant develops first true leaves with slight serration.
Keep soil consistently moist. Thin seedlings to 8 inches apart when they develop true leaves. Protect from heavy rain if transplanting indoors.
Vegetative (Early Leaf Development)
3-4 weeksTrue leaves expand rapidly with characteristic deep lobing and frilly edges. Plant grows 6-8 inches tall with increasingly dissected foliage.
Maintain consistent soil moisture and even fertility. Apply balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks. Remove any early flower bolts to encourage leaf production.
Vegetative (Maturity)
2-3 weeksRosette develops full, deeply cut frilly leaves (10-12 inches tall). Leaves are tender and at peak flavor, dark green color deepens.
Begin harvesting outer leaves while maintaining plant vigor. Continue watering consistently. Pinch off any emerging flower buds to extend harvest window.
Bolting (End of Season)
1-2 weeks before inedibilityCentral flower bud forms on upright stem if temperature rises above 75°F or plant experiences stress. Leaves become increasingly bitter.
Plant will bolt during hot weather or day-length changes. Once bolting begins significantly, harvest remaining leaves and plant succession crops.
Common Pests
-
Spray with water to dislodge; use insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs
-
Use floating row covers on young plants; apply kaolin clay spray; use diatomaceous earth around base
-
and
Hand-pick in evening; use copper tape barriers; apply iron phosphate baits; encourage natural predators
-
Pick off by hand; use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt); apply neem oil spray
-
Ensure good air circulation; avoid overhead watering; apply sulfur or copper fungicides if needed
Uses
Fresh salads and braised greens
CulinaryThe tender, frilly leaves are excellent raw in salads with a mild, pleasant bitterness, or sautéed, braised, and blanched as a cooked green. Often prepared in Italian cuisine as a side dish, especially in Roman cooking. [source]
Digestive and nutritional support
MedicinalCatalogna contains inulin, a prebiotic fiber that supports gut health and beneficial bacteria. Traditionally used in Italian herbalism to support digestion and liver function. [source]
Nutritional powerhouse
CulinaryRich in vitamins A, C, and K, plus minerals including iron, calcium, and potassium. Provides antioxidants and phytonutrients that support overall health. [source]
Root harvesting for chicory coffee
HouseholdWhile primarily grown for leaves, the roots can be dried, roasted, and ground as a caffeine-free coffee substitute or additive, a traditional use in Mediterranean regions. [source]
Pollinator support
WildlifeWhen allowed to bolt and flower, produces delicate blue flowers that attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators, supporting garden ecosystem health. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Begin harvesting outer leaves when plant is 6-8 inches tall, typically 50-70 days after planting. Harvest in early morning for best tenderness and flavor. Pick leaves from outside working inward to encourage continued growth. Can perform multiple harvests over 3-4 weeks. For mature plants, cut entire rosette 1-2 inches above soil line and it will often regrow. Harvest before flowering for best flavor and tenderness; once bolting begins, bitterness increases significantly.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Catalogna Riccio is an Italian heirloom variety that has been cultivated for centuries, particularly in southern Italy and Sicily, where it thrives in the Mediterranean climate.
- 🌱 Unlike common chicory, Catalogna Riccio is primarily harvested for its tender leaves rather than its roots, making it more similar to endive in culinary application.
- 🌱 The plant's name 'Catalogna' may derive from Catalonia in Spain, though it has been perfected and is most culturally significant in Italian cuisine, particularly Roman cooking where it's called 'Puntarelle' when young.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Catalogna Riccio planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Catalogna Riccio seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.
Get my Catalogna Riccio timeline →