Endive and escarole

Cichorium endivia

Cool-season vegetable
Leafy green

Pet & Human Safety

People: Skin irritant to peoplePets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them

Human edibility

Edible

Edible parts

leaves, flowers

Hazardous parts

sap/juice

Preparation

Not yet checked.

Hazard type

skin irritation from sap (low severity)

Hazard route

skin

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Toxic to pets

No ASPCA entry found.

No source we checked assesses this plant for pets, so the app makes no pet claim either way.

Look-alike warning

Could be mistaken for Plants that share its name. To tell them apart: NC State says endive may be confused with chicory, Belgian endive or radicchio, which it describes as a different species of the same genus..

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

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Care

Hardiness zones: USDA hardiness zones 4a to 9b (US system), grown as an annual or biennial.
Mature size: Height 10 in-2 ft; width 10 in-1.5 ft.
Family: Asteraceae (daisy family)
Where it comes from: Eastern Mediterranean and India (NC State).

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

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