Escarole Planting Guide
Escarole is a broad-leaved endive with slightly bitter, sturdy leaves. The outer leaves are more bitter while the blanched heart is tender and mild.
Cichorium endivia var. latifolia · Vegetable · Asteraceae family · 50–70 days to maturity
Get Your Personalized Escarole Planting Dates
Enter your ZIP code to see exact planting dates, soil compatibility, and growing tips specific to your county.
Where Can You Grow Escarole?
Escarole Growing Regions
Click any state to see the Escarole planting schedule for that location.
Planting Dates by Zone
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3a | Apr 3 | May 8 | May 15 | Jul 10 – Aug 7 |
| Zone 3b | Mar 29 | May 3 | May 10 | Jul 5 – Aug 2 |
| Zone 4a | Mar 25 | Apr 29 | May 6 | Jul 1 – Jul 29 |
| Zone 4b | Mar 20 | Apr 24 | May 1 | Jun 26 – Jul 24 |
| Zone 5a | Mar 21 | Apr 11 | Apr 25 | Jun 20 – Jul 18 |
| Zone 5b | Mar 14 | Apr 4 | Apr 18 | Jun 13 – Jul 11 |
| Zone 6a | Mar 6 | Mar 27 | Apr 10 | Jun 5 – Jul 3 |
| Zone 6b | Feb 27 | Mar 20 | Apr 3 | May 29 – Jun 26 |
| Zone 7a | Feb 18 | Mar 11 | Mar 25 | May 20 – Jun 17 |
| Zone 7b | Feb 11 | Mar 4 | Mar 18 | May 13 – Jun 10 |
| Zone 8a | Feb 1 | Feb 22 | Mar 8 | May 3 – May 31 |
| Zone 8b | Jan 21 | Feb 11 | Feb 25 | Apr 22 – May 20 |
| Zone 9a | Jan 13 | Jan 20 | Feb 10 | Apr 7 – May 5 |
| Zone 9b | Dec 28 | Jan 4 | Jan 25 | Mar 22 – Apr 19 |
| Zone 10a | Dec 4 | Dec 11 | Jan 1 | Feb 26 – Mar 26 |
| Zone 10b | Dec 4 | Dec 11 | Jan 1 | Feb 26 – Mar 26 |
Why are some columns showing "—"?
Transplant shows "—" because Escarole is best direct sown where it will grow. Transplanting can disturb the roots and slow growth.
How to Plant Escarole
🍂 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
50–70 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 Escarole
Escarole matures in just 50–70 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 5.7 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 Escarole
✅ Good Companions
❌ Keep Away From
Check more combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Growing Tips for Escarole
Direct sow in spring or late summer. Blanch heads by tying outer leaves together or covering with a pot for 2 weeks before harvest. Excellent braised or in soups.
Saving Escarole Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.
Level Up Your Garden
Escarole by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to grow Escarole?
Escarole (Cichorium endivia var. latifolia) takes 50 to 70 days from planting to harvest. Exact timing depends on your variety, growing conditions, and USDA zone.
What zones can Escarole grow in?
Escarole 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 Escarole need?
Growing Escarole requires Partial Shade (3-6 hours), Moderate — regular watering, and soil pH of 5.5 to 7.