Endive Planting Guide

May

Your May guide to endive

Everything below applies to endive broadly. For a plan that's dialled into your county's frost dates and soil, tap your location.

Sun partial shade

Water moderate

Days to harvest 45–65

Plant depth 0.5″

Spacing 6″

How to water endive
Consistent moisture matters more than volume for endive. Little and often beats occasional drenching.
Where to put endive
South-facing beds are ideal for endive. Shade from nearby trees or fences costs real production.
Check your local forecast before planting
Your zone determines the exact week to plant endive. Pick your county below and we'll line everything up against your frost dates.

Get endive planting dates for your county →

Endive is a leafy green with a slightly bitter flavor, available in curly (frisee) and broad-leaved (escarole) types. It adds texture and complexity to salads.

Cichorium endivia · Vegetable · Asteraceae family · 45–65 days to maturity

Get Your Personalized Endive Planting Dates

Enter your ZIP code to see exact planting dates, soil compatibility, and growing tips specific to your county.

Where Can You Grow Endive?

Zone Compatibility for Endive Zones 3a – 10b

1a 1b 2a 2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b 11a 11b 12a 12b 13a 13b

Ideal (data available) Suitable Marginal Not recommended

Planting Dates by Zone

Zone	Start Indoors	Direct Sow	Transplant	Harvest
Zone 3a	Apr 3	May 8	May 15	Jul 3 – Aug 7
Zone 3b	Mar 29	May 3	May 10	Jun 28 – Aug 2
Zone 4a	Mar 25	Apr 29	May 6	Jun 24 – Jul 29
Zone 4b	Mar 20	Apr 24	May 1	Jun 19 – Jul 24
Zone 5a	Mar 21	Apr 11	Apr 25	Jun 13 – Jul 18
Zone 5b	Mar 14	Apr 4	Apr 18	Jun 6 – Jul 11
Zone 6a	Mar 6	Mar 27	Apr 10	May 29 – Jul 3
Zone 6b	Feb 27	Mar 20	Apr 3	May 22 – Jun 26
Zone 7a	Feb 18	Mar 11	Mar 25	May 13 – Jun 17
Zone 7b	Feb 11	Mar 4	Mar 18	May 6 – Jun 10
Zone 8a	Feb 1	Feb 22	Mar 8	Apr 26 – May 31
Zone 8b	Jan 21	Feb 11	Feb 25	Apr 15 – May 20
Zone 9a	Jan 13	Jan 20	Feb 10	Mar 31 – May 5
Zone 9b	Dec 28	Jan 4	Jan 25	Mar 15 – Apr 19
Zone 10a	Dec 4	Dec 11	Jan 1	Feb 19 – Mar 26
Zone 10b	Dec 4	Dec 11	Jan 1	Feb 19 – Mar 26

Why are some columns showing "—"?

Transplant shows "—" because Endive is best direct sown where it will grow. Transplanting can disturb the roots and slow growth.

How to Plant Endive

0.5"

Planting Depth

Between Plants

12"

Between Rows

🍂 Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Consistent moisture produces the best results.

🧪 Soil pH

5.5 – 7

Prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil — ideal for most garden beds.

🗺️ Hardiness Zones

Zone 3a – 10b

📅 Days to Maturity

45–65 days

Quick-growing crop. Multiple plantings per season are possible.

👪 Plant Family

Asteraceae

Rotate with other families yearly to prevent soil-borne diseases. Don't plant in the same spot where Asteraceae family crops grew last year.

Succession Planting Endive

Endive matures in just 45–65 days, making it ideal for succession planting. In a typical 180-day growing season, you can get up to 4 successive plantings by sowing every 5.1 weeks.

Your actual succession count depends on your local frost dates. Enter your ZIP code to get personalized succession planting dates for your area.

Companion Planting for Endive

✅ Good Companions

Carrots Radish Lettuce

❌ Keep Away From

Fennel

Check more combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Growing Tips for Endive

Sow seeds directly in spring or fall. Blanch heads by tying outer leaves together 2-3 weeks before harvest to reduce bitterness. Keep soil evenly moist.

Saving Endive Seeds

Recommended for Your Garden

🌱

Seed Starting Trays $8-20

Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.

🧪

Soil Test Kit $12-25

Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.

🏷️

Garden Plant Markers $6-12

Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.

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Endive by State

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to grow Endive?

Endive (Cichorium endivia) takes 45 to 65 days from planting to harvest. Exact timing depends on your variety, growing conditions, and USDA zone.

What zones can Endive grow in?

Endive can be grown in USDA zones 3a through 10b. Use the planting calendar above to find the exact dates for your zone.

How much sun does Endive need?

Growing Endive requires Partial Shade (3-6 hours), Moderate — regular watering, and soil pH of 5.5 to 7.