Chicory Plant

Cichorium intybus - Chicory Plant

The Chicory Plant is an herbaceous plant belonging to the Asteraceae family․ Although native to Europe‚ Asia, and Africa, the plant has been widely cultivated as a crop․ It has a 3 m long taproot and a 30 cm long leaf rosette with somewhat bitter leaves․ It produces blue or lavender flowers in a cluster at the top of a stalk up to 1․5 meters high․ Uses and Planting It has long been used as food and as medicine․ The roots are roasted and ground to be used as a coffee substitute or in some alcoholic beverages such as Belgian beer․ It prefers full to partial sun shade and well-drained soil․ The plant may be grown in spring or autumn but care should be taken to ensure the soil is dry when the fruit is produced․ They tolerate many soil types‚ but prefer fertile‚ loamy soils․ Plant seeds 18 to 24 inches apart and 1/4 inch deep․ When transplanting‚ plant at the same depth as growing in the container with plants spaced 12 - 18 inches (30 to 46 cm) apart․ When sowing seeds‚ plant only ¼ inch deep and 18 to 24 inches apart․ When transplanting seedlings‚ the same depth must be used as the seedlings were originally grown in the pot‚ and the seedlings should be kept 12-18 inches apart․ The plant is drought tolerant․ However‚ do make sure to water it regularly during any dry spells and to feed it monthly with a balanced fertilizer to ensure that it thrives․ The ability to thrive in any environment Growing to heights of about 3-5 feet‚ it is a very hardy plant․ A native of Europe‚ it grows in just about any kind of environment․ However‚ they prefer to be planted in deep, moderately fertile soils and not in clayey ones‚ which restrict root growth․ The plant grows best when placed in a lot of direct sunlight and has a very vertical mass growth habit․ Foliage Most of its foliage is low to the ground‚ otherwise arranged radially around its base‚ but its thin‚ upright stems branch out and shoot straight up from the foliage‚ covered in small light blue flowers․ It has many advantages in the landscaping or gardening process․ Within a full meadow or garden scheme‚ its wandering leaves‚ branching stems, and flowers from July to October add fullness and contribute to a "wild" authenticity in the atmosphere of a space․ Its green‚ dandelion-like leaves are large and broad at the base and narrow toward the top‚ allowing flowers to grow above․ The flowers are small in size‚ and 2 to 4 cm in diameter‚ and the flower head resembles one of the aster flowers․ Besides the visual attributes mentioned‚ the plant's deep-rooting system can help to balance soil health by pulling nutrients deeper into the soil profile․ As a vigorous perennial species‚ the plants will return for many years to provide coverage and enjoyment․ It can also be used in any edible space or tea garden․ The roots can be used in tea or coffee to produce a stronger flavor․

Uses and Planting

It has long been used as food and as medicine․ The roots are roasted and ground to be used as a coffee substitute or in some alcoholic beverages such as Belgian beer․

The ability to thrive in any environment

However‚ they prefer to be planted in deep, moderately fertile soils and not in clayey ones‚ which restrict root growth․ The plant grows best when placed in a lot of direct sunlight and has a very vertical mass growth habit․ Foliage Most of its foliage is low to the ground‚ otherwise arranged radially around its base‚ but its thin‚ upright stems branch out and shoot straight up from the foliage‚ covered in small light blue flowers․ It has many advantages in the landscaping or gardening process․ Within a full meadow or garden scheme‚ its wandering leaves‚ branching stems, and flowers from July to October add fullness and contribute to a "wild" authenticity in the atmosphere of a space․ Its green‚ dandelion-like leaves are large and broad at the base and narrow toward the top‚ allowing flowers to grow above․ The flowers are small in size‚ and 2 to 4 cm in diameter‚ and the flower head resembles one of the aster flowers․ Besides the visual attributes mentioned‚ the plant's deep-rooting system can help to balance soil health by pulling nutrients deeper into the soil profile․ As a vigorous perennial species‚ the plants will return for many years to provide coverage and enjoyment․ It can also be used in any edible space or tea garden․ The roots can be used in tea or coffee to produce a stronger flavor․

Foliage

Within a full meadow or garden scheme‚ its wandering leaves‚ branching stems, and flowers from July to October add fullness and contribute to a "wild" authenticity in the atmosphere of a space․

Its green‚ dandelion-like leaves are large and broad at the base and narrow toward the top‚ allowing flowers to grow above․ The flowers are small in size‚ and 2 to 4 cm in diameter‚ and the flower head resembles one of the aster flowers․

It can also be used in any edible space or tea garden․ The roots can be used in tea or coffee to produce a stronger flavor․

Plant bare-root stock as soon as it arrives, in well-drained soil with full to partial sun unless noted otherwise above. Water deeply once a week during the first growing season to establish a strong root system.

Dug and shipped bare-root during your zone's dormant window, packed to arrive fresh. Every order is backed by our first-season establishment guarantee — we'll replace it for you.