Cichorium intybus Seeds | Chicory
LATIN NAME: Cichorium intybus
COMMON NAME: Chicory
Plant Profile
Known to gardeners as Chicory, Cichorium intybus is a noteworthy species. Its flowers draw a steady traffic of bees and other beneficial insects. The ratio of effort to reward here is about as good as gardening gets.
Science & Biotechnology
Within the Cichorium group, Cichorium intybus is of continuing interest to researchers working on plant diversity, seed biology and the selection of improved garden forms. Species has attracted research because its roots contain inulin and other carbohydrate reserves. A long cultivation history means growers know what to expect from it.
Uses & Benefits
Beyond its ornamental appeal, Chicory has the practical versatility that makes a plant worth growing from seed year after year. Young leaves can be used as a bitter salad green, selected root types are cultivated for processing, and roasted roots have a long history as a coffee-associated ingredient. Blue flowers also give plant ornamental and ecological value in meadow-style landscapes. After the first season it asks for very little beyond a place that suits it.
Chicory root is the richest common source of inulin, the prebiotic fiber used worldwide in functional foods, and roasted root remains the classic caffeine-free coffee additive; endive and radicchio are its salad forms.
Growing from Seed
Chicory grows readily from seed. Sow seed in a loose, well-drained medium and cover lightly. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then move young plants into a sunny site. Fill a pot with a light seed compost, sow evenly on the surface, cover thinly and stand it somewhere warm, bright and evenly moist. Transplant the sturdiest seedlings to their permanent spots and let them develop without disturbance.
Our Take
Chicory is the kind of plant that rewards a permanent spot. Start with fresh seed, keep it evenly moist, and the plant does the rest itself.
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