How to Grow Chicory Catalogna Magra

Chicory Catalogna Magra

Cichorium intybus var. catalogna

vegetable

Chicory Catalogna Magra, also known as Italian Dandelion or Asparagus Chicory, is a leafy green vegetable prized for its tender, elongated leaves and edible shoots. This Italian heirloom variety produces slender, deeply lobed leaves with a pleasant bitter taste that mellows with cooking. It's a cool-season crop that can be harvested multiple times throughout the season.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun to partial shade; 6+ hours of direct sunlight daily

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Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water deeply 1-2 times per week, increasing frequency during hot, dry periods. Drought stress increases bitterness.

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Spacing: 12 inches

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Days to maturity: 50-70 days from transplant; can be harvested as baby greens in 30-40 days

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Planting depth: 0.25-0.5 inches

Soil

Type: Well-draining, fertile loamy soil

pH: 6.0-7.5

Amendments:

Compost aged manure balanced fertilizer

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 5-9; prefers cool seasons (spring and fall)

5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b

Growth Stages

Germination

7-14 days

Seeds sprout and first true leaves emerge; seedlings are delicate with initial cotyledon leaves

Keep soil consistently moist; maintain temperatures between 60-70°F. Provide bright light. Thin seedlings to prevent overcrowding.

Seedling

2-3 weeks

Young plants develop 2-4 true leaves and establish a small root system

Continue consistent watering and bright light. Begin fertilizing weekly with dilute balanced fertilizer. Ensure good air circulation to prevent damping off.

Vegetative Growth

3-4 weeks

Plant develops characteristic deeply lobed, elongated leaves; rosette expands and becomes bushier

Maintain steady moisture and cool temperatures (prefer 60-70°F). Apply mulch to retain soil moisture and keep roots cool. Begin side-dressing with compost.

Leaf Production & Harvest

4-8 weeks or until bolting

Plant reaches harvestable size with numerous tender outer leaves; central shoots begin to elongate

Begin harvesting outer leaves to encourage continued production. Keep soil moist and temperatures cool. In fall, light frost improves flavor. Remove flower buds if plant bolts.

Maturity/Bolting

Varies; occurs more readily in heat and long days

Plant develops tall flower stalks with blue flowers; leaves become tougher and more bitter

Plant becomes less palatable once bolting begins. Harvest remaining leaves immediately. Allow some plants to flower if saving seeds. Prevent bolting by maintaining cool temperatures and consistent moisture.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Beets carrots garlic onions thyme dill borage lettuce

Avoid planting near:

Fennel parsnips

Common Pests

Use row covers on young plants; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; encourage predatory insects like ground beetles
Spray with strong water spray to dislodge; use insecticidal soap; attract beneficial insects like ladybugs and parasitic wasps
and
Hand-pick in early morning; use copper barriers; create beer traps; encourage ground beetles and toads
Ensure good air circulation; spray with baking soda solution (1 tbsp per gallon water); remove affected leaves; avoid overhead watering
Remove and destroy affected leaves; use yellow sticky traps; apply neem oil; encourage parasitic wasps

Uses

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Cooked greens and shoots

Culinary

Young leaves can be eaten raw in salads, but are most commonly cooked (sautéed, braised, or added to soups and pasta dishes). The tender shoots are prized in Italian cuisine and have a flavor similar to asparagus. Light cooking mellows the pleasant bitterness. [source]

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Baby leaf salad greens

Culinary

Very young, tender leaves (harvested at 2-3 inches) can be added to mixed salads for a pleasantly bitter, complex flavor that complements milder greens. [source]

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Digestive and liver support

Medicinal

Chicory has a long history in folk medicine for supporting digestion and liver function. The roots and leaves contain inulin and other compounds that may promote digestive health and beneficial gut bacteria. [source]

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Coffee substitute

Household

While this leaf variety is less commonly used than root chicory for this purpose, the roasted roots can be ground and brewed as a caffeine-free coffee alternative or mixed with coffee. The leaves can also be dried for herbal tea. [source]

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Pollinator attraction

Wildlife

If allowed to flower, chicory produces attractive blue flowers that are excellent nectar sources for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators. [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 leaves when plants are 6-8 inches tall by pinching or cutting outer leaves from the base, allowing the center to continue growing. This encourages multiple harvests. Harvest in the morning for best flavor and crispness. For tender shoots, allow plants to grow to full size and harvest the central flowering stems before flowers open. The entire plant can be cut 1-2 inches above soil level for regrowth. Flavor improves after light frosts. Continue harvesting until plants bolt in response to heat or long days.

Fun Facts

🌱 Chicory Catalogna Magra is an Italian heirloom variety that has been cultivated for centuries, particularly in Southern Italy and Sicily, where it remains a staple in traditional cuisine.
🌱 The name 'Catalogna' may derive from Catalonia in Spain, reflecting the historical trade routes and plant migrations across the Mediterranean region.
🌱 Chicory flowers are used in traditional medicine and folklore; in some cultures, blue chicory flowers are associated with wishes and are called 'Wishing Flowers' because if you pick one at noon, it will close by evening.

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