Key Features
- Distinctive chicory variety traditionally used as a coffee substitute and herb
- Produces leafy green foliage with an attractive upright growth habit
- Suitable for herb gardens, vegetable beds, containers, and cottage gardens
- Adaptable cool-season plant with edible roots and young leaves
- A versatile garden crop valued for culinary and traditional uses
Growing Benefits
- Adds a useful and distinctive crop to home herb gardens
- Offers versatile roots and leaves for culinary preparation
- Suitable for gardeners interested in traditional and unusual crops
- Can be grown in garden beds or suitable containers
- Provides an engaging crop for beginner and experienced gardeners
Seed Specifications
- Common Name: Coffee Chicory, Chicory
- Botanical Name: Cichorium intybus
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial commonly grown as an annual or biennial crop
- Colors: Green foliage; blue flowers
- Height: Approximately two to four feet
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil: Well-drained, fertile soil with moderate moisture
- Water: Regular watering; avoid prolonged waterlogging
- Germination Time: Approximately one to three weeks under suitable conditions
- Sowing Depth: About one-quarter inch deep
- Spacing: About six to twelve inches apart
- Growing Zones: Generally suitable for USDA Zones three to nine
- Flowering/Maturity: Flowers in the second growing season when grown as a biennial; roots may be harvested earlier
- Uses: Coffee substitute, leafy vegetable, herb garden, culinary use, and traditional plantings
Growing Tips
- Choose a sunny location with loose, well-draining soil for healthy root development.
- Sow seeds shallowly and keep the soil consistently moist during germination.
- Thin young seedlings early to provide enough room for strong root growth.
- Harvest roots or young leaves according to your preferred culinary use.
Seed Storage
Store unused Coffee Chicory seeds in a cool, dry, and dark location. Keep them in a tightly sealed, moisture-resistant container away from heat and direct sunlight. Avoid humid areas to help maintain seed quality.
Unique Facts About Seeds
- Coffee chicory is commonly associated with the species Cichorium intybus, a plant with a long history of culinary use.
- Chicory roots can be roasted, ground, and brewed as a coffee-style beverage or blended with coffee.
- The plant produces attractive blue flowers, particularly when allowed to reach flowering stage.
- Chicory belongs to the Asteraceae family, which also includes lettuce, sunflower, and dandelion.