How to Grow Chicory Catalogna Friariello

Chicory Catalogna Friariello

Cichorium intybus var. catalogna

vegetable

Chicory Catalogna Friariello is an Italian heirloom variety of cutting chicory known for its tender, slightly bitter leaves and edible flower buds. This leafy green produces abundant foliage and is harvested repeatedly throughout the season for a continuous supply. It's prized in Mediterranean cuisine for its complex flavor and nutritional benefits.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun to partial shade; 6+ hours daily optimal

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Water: Moderate, consistent moisture; water 1-2 inches per week. Keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. More frequent watering in hot weather.

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Spacing: 12 inches

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Days to maturity: 30-50

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Planting depth: 0.25-0.5 inches

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil, moderately fertile

pH: 6.0-7.5

Amendments:

Compost Aged manure Peat moss or coconut coir

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 5-8; can grow in zones 3-9 with seasonal adjustments

3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a

Growth Stages

Seedling

2-3 weeks

Tiny serrated leaves emerge and the plant develops a small rosette with 2-4 true leaves.

Keep soil consistently moist. Thin seedlings to proper spacing once 2-3 leaves develop. Provide bright light.

Vegetative Growth

4-6 weeks

Plant develops bushy foliage with deeply lobed, tender green leaves forming a loose rosette. Stems elongate and become productive.

Water regularly, provide full sun or partial shade. Mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Begin light harvesting once plant is 6 inches tall.

Cutting/Harvest Ready

Ongoing, 6-10 weeks from planting

Plant reaches 8-12 inches tall with abundant tender leaves and emerging flower buds at leaf axils.

Harvest outer leaves and shoots regularly to encourage bushier growth. Remove flower buds as they form if growing for foliage only, or allow to bloom if harvesting edible flowers.

Flowering (Optional)

8-12 weeks

If allowed to mature, small blue or occasionally white flowers appear on delicate stems throughout the plant.

Edible flowers can be harvested. Allow some flowering to attract pollinators. Plant typically becomes more bitter as flowers develop.

Late Season

Varies by season

Plant may bolt or slow growth in intense heat or cold. Flavor intensifies slightly as plant matures.

In spring/fall, plant continues producing. In summer, may need afternoon shade or more frequent watering. Succession plant for continuous harvest.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Basil Parsley Lettuce Arugula Carrots Beets Onions Garlic Dill Borage

Avoid planting near:

Fennel Anise

Common Pests

Spray with strong water stream, neem oil, or insecticidal soap. Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs.
and
Hand-pick in early morning, use copper tape barriers, beer traps, or diatomaceous earth. Remove debris where they hide.
Use row covers on young plants, dust with diatomaceous earth, or apply neem oil. Reflective mulches can deter.
Remove affected leaves, use row covers, spinosad spray, or neem oil. Encourage parasitic wasps.
Ensure good air circulation, avoid overhead watering, apply sulfur dust or baking soda spray. Remove heavily infected leaves.

Uses

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Salads & Fresh Greens

Culinary

The tender leaves and shoots are used fresh in salads, adding a pleasant bitter complexity. Young leaves are milder than mature ones. Flower buds can also be included in salads for visual appeal and delicate flavor. [source]

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Cooked Greens & Italian Cuisine

Culinary

Catalogna Friariello is a staple in Italian cooking, particularly in Southern Italy. Leaves and shoots are sautéed with garlic and olive oil, boiled, or added to pasta dishes, soups, and grain preparations. [source]

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Digestive & Liver Support

Medicinal

Chicory is traditionally used to support digestive health and liver function. The bitter compounds stimulate bile production and may aid in digestion. Contains inulin, a prebiotic fiber beneficial for gut health. [source]

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Coffee Substitute & Additive

Household

Dried and roasted chicory root can be used as a caffeine-free coffee substitute or mixed with coffee to add depth and reduce caffeine. This use dates back centuries and is particularly traditional in New Orleans. [source]

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Pollinator Support

Wildlife

When allowed to flower, chicory produces delicate blue or white flowers that are attractive to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. The flowers provide nectar and pollen during mid to late season when other sources may be limited. [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 reaches 6 inches tall by pinching or cutting 1-2 inches above soil level. Harvest regularly (2-3 times per week) to encourage bushier growth and tender new leaves. Cut flower buds when small and tender for best flavor. In cooler seasons, harvest in morning after dew dries. Plant will re-sprout and produce for 8-12 weeks with consistent harvesting.

Fun Facts

🌱 Catalogna Friariello is an heirloom variety with deep roots in Southern Italian (particularly Calabrian) cuisine, where it has been grown and eaten for generations.
🌱 Chicory root was historically roasted and used as a coffee adulterant or substitute, particularly in Europe and America, and this practice continues in some regions today.
🌱 The plant's bitter compounds (such as intybin) are not actually unpleasant; they stimulate digestive juices and add complexity to dishes—the bitterness decreases in younger, more tender leaves.

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