← Plant Guides

How to Grow Radicchio Rosso Early Treviso

Wikimedia Commons

Radicchio Rosso Early Treviso

Cichorium intybus var. foliosum

vegetable

Early Treviso radicchio is a distinctive Italian chicory variety featuring elongated, deep burgundy leaves with white ribs arranged in a loose to semi-tight head. It matures faster than traditional Treviso types while maintaining the characteristic bitter, slightly sweet flavor prized in Mediterranean cuisine. This cool-season crop is ideal for fall and early winter harvests in most climates.

When should you plant Radicchio Rosso Early Treviso 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.

Get my Radicchio Rosso Early Treviso timeline →

Example Radicchio Rosso Early Treviso timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Radicchio Rosso Early Treviso

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Radicchio Rosso Early Treviso

    Around Jun 16

    ≈ 60 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Radicchio Rosso Early Treviso dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily; tolerates partial shade in hot climates
💧
Water: Consistent moisture; water deeply 1-2 inches per week. Keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. More critical during head formation.
📏
Spacing: 8-12 inches apart in rows 18-24 inches apart inches
📅
Days to maturity: 60-85 days from transplant; 75-95 days from seed
🌱
Planting depth: ¼ inch for seeds; transplant at true leaf stage

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil rich in organic matter
pH: 6.0-7.5
Amendments:
Compost aged manure balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) calcium (lime if pH is low)

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 3-9; performs best as a fall/winter crop in warm regions and summer crop in cool regions

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

Sign up free to see if Radicchio Rosso Early Treviso grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.

Get my Radicchio Rosso Early Treviso timeline →

Growth Stages

1

Germination & Seedling

3-4 weeks

Seeds sprout within 7-10 days; first true leaves appear by week 2-3. Seedlings develop their characteristic shape with elongated leaf structure.

Keep soil consistently moist. Thin seedlings to spacing distance or transplant to individual pots. Provide 12-14 hours of light daily if growing indoors.

2

Vegetative Growth

4-6 weeks

Plant develops 6-8 leaves in a loose rosette pattern. Leaves elongate and deepen in color from green to purple-burgundy.

Water consistently, maintain cool temperatures (55-70°F ideal), apply balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks. Remove any yellow or damaged outer leaves.

3

Head Formation

3-4 weeks

Leaves begin to curve inward and overlap, forming the characteristic elongated head with tighter central leaves. Color intensifies to deep red-burgundy with prominent white ribs.

Ensure consistent watering and fertility. Cooler temperatures (below 70°F) encourage tighter head formation and color development. Side-dress with compost if needed.

4

Head Maturity

2-3 weeks (harvest window)

Fully formed head, 6-8 inches long, with deep burgundy coloring and tight, overlapping leaves. Head feels firm when gently squeezed.

Monitor for bolting or pest damage. Harvest at full maturity. Light frosts after head formation can actually improve flavor and color.

5

Post-Harvest Regrowth

Variable, 30-45 days for second harvest

If harvested by cutting above the base, secondary shoots may emerge from the root system for a second, smaller harvest.

Keep soil moist and cool. Expect smaller heads from regrowth. May bolt if temperatures warm significantly.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Lettuce spinach arugula kale chard beets carrots parsnips dill cilantro chives

Avoid planting near:

fennel parsnips (compete for nutrients) brassicas in very tight spacing

Common Pests

  • Row covers during early growth; neem oil spray; diatomaceous earth; reflective mulch

  • Strong water spray; insecticidal soap; neem oil; encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs

  • and

    Hand-pick; copper tape barriers; beer traps; diatomaceous earth; remove debris and hiding spots

  • Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis); row covers; handpicking; spinosad spray

  • Yellow sticky traps; neem oil; insecticidal soap; strong water spray

Uses

🍳

Grilled, roasted, or raw in salads

Culinary

Radicchio Rosso Early Treviso's bitter-sweet flavor makes it ideal for grilling (halved), roasting, or serving raw in salads. The attractive burgundy color and white ribs add visual appeal to dishes. [source]

🍳

Italian pasta and risotto dishes

Culinary

Traditional ingredient in pasta al radicchio and risotto dishes from the Veneto region of Italy. The bitter notes complement creamy sauces and rich ingredients like pancetta or butter. [source]

💊

Digestive and liver support

Medicinal

Chicory contains inulin and compounds that support digestive health and liver function. Traditionally used in herbal medicine to promote bile production and detoxification. [source]

🏠

Natural dye source

Household

The deep red-burgundy pigments can be extracted and used as a natural dye for textiles, producing beautiful pink to red hues. [source]

🦋

Pollinator and beneficial insect support

Wildlife

If allowed to bolt and flower, radicchio produces attractive blue-purple flowers that attract bees and beneficial insects. Supports early spring 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

Harvest when heads are firm and fully colored (deep burgundy), typically 60-85 days after transplanting. Cut heads at the base with a sharp knife in the morning for crispest texture. Early Treviso matures earlier than standard Treviso, allowing harvest before heavy frosts. Can be harvested as individual outer leaves starting when plant is 4-5 weeks old. Store in refrigerator crisper for 2-3 weeks; light frosts improve flavor if left in field.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Radicchio Rosso Early Treviso is named after Treviso, a city in the Veneto region of Italy, where this type of chicory has been cultivated for centuries. The 'Early' designation indicates it was bred to mature 2-3 weeks faster than traditional Treviso types.
  • 🌱 The distinctive white ribs (veins) in radicchio contain calcium and are part of the plant's vascular system; they're not a sign of blanching as some assume, but rather a natural characteristic that appears as the head forms.
  • 🌱 Radicchio contains compounds called sesquiterpene lactones, which give it its characteristic bitter taste and are being studied for potential anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties. Light frosts actually increase the plant's sugar content, making frost-harvested heads slightly sweeter than warm-weather harvests.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Bolt Compost Full Sun Partial Shade Transplant True Leaves
Shop Radicchio Rosso Early Treviso plants and related plants at Plant Addicts →

Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.

Get your personalized Radicchio Rosso Early Treviso planting timeline

Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Radicchio Rosso Early Treviso 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 Radicchio Rosso Early Treviso timeline →