How to Grow Frisée
Wikimedia Commons
Frisée
Cichorium endivia var. crispum
vegetableFrisée is a leafy green vegetable belonging to the chicory family, characterized by its delicate, curly, feathery leaves that form a loose head. It has a slightly bitter taste and is popular in French cuisine, particularly in salads. The outer leaves are typically darker green while the inner blanched leaves are pale yellow or white.
Looking for a specific variety?
When should you plant Frisée 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 Frisée timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Frisée
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
Harvest Frisée
Around Jun 26≈ 70 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Frisée dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 4-9; grows as a cool-season crop in most regions
Sign up free to see if Frisée grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Frisée timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny cotyledons emerge, followed by first true leaves. Plants are delicate and very small.
Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy. Provide bright light to prevent leggy growth. Thin seedlings to appropriate spacing when 2-3 inches tall.
Vegetative Growth
4-6 weeksPlant develops more leaves and establishes a root system. Characteristic curly, deeply cut leaves begin to form.
Maintain consistent moisture and feed with balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks. Weed regularly to reduce competition. Provide afternoon shade in hot climates.
Head Formation
3-4 weeksOuter leaves continue expanding while the center begins to form a loose rosette head. Plant gradually fills out.
Continue regular watering and feeding. Ensure adequate spacing to promote air circulation. Monitor for pests and diseases.
Maturity & Blanching
1-2 weeksHead reaches full size with fully developed curly leaves. Outer leaves are deep green; inner leaves are tightly clustered.
For tender, less-bitter inner leaves, blanch 7-14 days before harvest by tying outer leaves together or covering with a pot. Stop watering during blanching to encourage the process.
Harvest
Harvest window varies; typically 1-2 weeksHead is fully formed and ready to cut. Blanched inner leaves are pale and tender.
Harvest in cool morning hours for crispest texture. Cut at soil level with a sharp knife. Handle gently to avoid bruising delicate leaves.
Common Pests
-
Spray with water to dislodge; use insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs
-
Hand-pick; use row covers; apply Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis); maintain good hygiene
-
and
Hand-pick at night; use beer traps; create barriers with diatomaceous earth; encourage predatory beetles
-
Remove affected leaves; use row covers on seedlings; apply neem oil; remove weeds that host the pest
-
Use sticky traps; spray with insecticidal soap; use reflective mulches; ensure good air circulation
Uses
Gourmet Salads
CulinaryFrisée is prized for its delicate, feathery texture and slightly bitter flavor, making it a classic ingredient in French frisée aux lardons (frisée with bacon) and mixed green salads. The blanched inner leaves are particularly tender and prized by chefs. [source]
Cooking & Braising
CulinaryBeyond raw salads, frisée can be lightly sautéed, braised, or added to soups. Cooking mellows its bitter notes, creating a more palatable dish. [source]
Digestive Support
MedicinalChicory family plants, including frisée, contain inulin and other compounds traditionally used to support digestive health and promote beneficial gut bacteria. [source]
Culinary Garnish
HouseholdThe delicate, attractive leaves make frisée an excellent garnish for upscale plating in restaurants and fine dining presentations. [source]
Pollinator Support
WildlifeIf allowed to bolt, frisée produces attractive small blue or yellow flowers that attract bees and other beneficial pollinators to the garden. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Harvest when the head is full-sized but before it bolts (typically 70-100 days from sowing). Cut the entire head at soil level with a sharp knife in the early morning for best crispness and texture. For improved tenderness and to reduce bitterness, blanch the head 7-14 days before harvest by tying the outer leaves together or inverting a pot over the center. Frisée does not store well; use within a few days of harvest for best quality.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Frisée is a curly-leafed variety of endive (Cichorium endivia) and should not be confused with Belgian endive (Cichorium intybus var. foliosum), which requires a completely different forcing process involving root cultivation and darkness.
- 🌱 The name 'frisée' comes from the French word 'frisé,' meaning 'curly' or 'frizzled,' perfectly describing its delicate, feathery leaf appearance.
- 🌱 The traditional blanching method used for frisée (tying leaves together to exclude light) has been practiced since at least the 16th century and is still used today by high-end restaurants to create the prized pale, tender inner leaves.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Frisée planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Frisée 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 Frisée timeline →