Chicory Plant Is A Beautiful And Useful Plant
Chicory (Cichorium intybus) is a herbaceous plant in the family Asteraceae. It is native to Europe, Asia, and Africa but is now widely cultivated as a crop and medicinal plant.
The plant has a deep taproot that can grow up to 3 meters long and produces a rosette of leaves up to 30 cm long. The leaves have a slightly bitter taste. The plant also produces blue or lavender flowers arranged in clusters at the top of a tall stem, which can grow up to 1.5 meters in height.
It has a long history of use as a food and medicine. The roots can be roasted and ground to make a coffee substitute, and they are also used in some alcoholic beverages, such as Belgian beer. (We only ingest plants with proper knowledge.)
Traditional medicine also uses it to treat various ailments, including digestive disorders, liver problems, and inflammation. Some studies have suggested that it may have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and help lower blood sugar levels and cholesterol.
Overall, it is a versatile and valuable plant with a long history of use for both culinary and medicinal purposes.
Best Place To Plant Chicory Plants
It prefers to be grown in well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade.It can be planted in spring or fall, but ensuring the soil is dry when producing is vital.
It can tolerate many soil types, but they do best in fertile and loamy soil. They will flourish in soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5.
When planting it, you should sow the seeds about ¼ inch deep and 18-24 inches apart. Plant seedlings at the same depth they grew in their previous container and space them 12-18 inches apart if you transplant seedlings.
It is a hardy plant and can tolerate some drought. Still, it is essential to water it regularly, especially during dry spells. Fertilize it with a balanced fertilizer once a month to keep them healthy and productive.
Buy Chicory Plants Online
The hardy and versatile plant grows to an average height of about 3-5 feet when mature. This robust European native has the beneficial characteristic of being able to thrive just about anywhere when it comes to the environment.