Chicory Plant is an herbaceous plant in the Asteraceae family. It is native to Europe, Asia, and Africa but is now widely cultivated as a crop. It 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. It 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.
Chicory Plant's Uses
It has a long history of being used in 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.
Planting 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, sow the seeds about ¼ inches 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 would be best to 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.Chicory Plant can tolerate some drought. Still, it is essential to water it regularly, especially during dry spells. To keep it healthy and productive, fertilize it with a balanced fertilizer once a month.
Chicory Plants Can Thrive In Any Environment
It 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.
However, they prefer deep, moderately fertile soils for optimal growing conditions. It's best practice to avoid planting in clayey soils, as they inhibit root development. This species also prefers lots of sunlight to grow optimally. Regarding its overall mass, it has a very vertical growth habit.
Chicory Plant's Foliage
Most of its foliage is closer to the ground, radially spreading out and around its base. That is to contrast its tall, branching, slender stems that soar above the foliage and are dotted with delicate light blue flowers. It has quite a few appeals when using it in landscaping or gardening.
When integrated into a full meadow or garden scheme, the roaming leaves, branching stems, and flowers from July to October add fullness and an endearing "wild" authenticity to a space's atmosphere.
The leaves are dandelion-like in shape and pleasantly green in color, large and broad at the base, and the stem is thinning up to allow the flowers to stand alone. The flowers themselves are small, about 2-4 cm in diameter, and aster-like in appearance.
Outside of the visuals, Chicory Plant's root system is ideal for helping maintain soil balance and health because it can pull nutrients deep into the soil profile. It's also a vigorous perennial species that will return for many years of enjoyment.
Additionally, it is an excellent addition for those interested in edible or tea gardens. The roots can be used in teas or coffee to add robustness to the flavor.
