Short answer: sprinkle 10 to 15 g of endive seed on a 10 × 20 inch tray of moist soil. Mist, cover and keep it dark for about 3 days. Uncover, give bright light and water from below. Cut at 10 to 14 days.
What is endive?
Endive (Cichorium endivia) is a leafy salad green, related to chicory and radicchio. As a microgreen, it grows small, tender leaves with a gentle bitterness. Sprouting.com gives endive 10 to 14 days.1
How to grow endive microgreens
- Day0
Sow
Spread the seed evenly over moist potting mix. Press it in.
- Day0–3
Blackout
Cover and mist daily.
- Day3
Light
Uncover and give bright light.
- Day10–14
Harvest
Cut above the soil when the leaves are open.
Tips for growing endive microgreens
- Sow evenly. Endive seed is small and light. Sprinkle it from a folded card or a shaker so it doesn't clump.
- Press it in. Seed in good contact with damp soil sprouts more evenly.
- Keep it cool. Endive is a cool-season plant. A room around 60 to 70°F (16 to 21°C) suits it well.
- Harvest young. The leaves get more bitter as they grow. Cut at the seed-leaf stage for the mildest flavour.
Problems and fixes
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Patchy tray | Seed clumped or dried out | Sow evenly, mist during blackout |
| Too bitter | Harvested late or grown warm | Cut earlier, keep the room cooler |
| Leggy, pale seedlings | Low light | Uncover on time, give brighter light |
| Seedlings collapse | Damping off from wet soil | Water from below, add a small fan |
Endive vs chicory microgreens
Endive and chicory are close cousins and grow the same way. Endive is a little milder and more tender. Chicory has a stronger bite and darker leaves. Both work well in small amounts in a mix with sweeter greens like pea shoots or kale.
Endive microgreens salad ideas
A small handful of endive microgreens turns a sweet salad into a balanced one. Try these pairings:
- Pear and walnut: sliced pear, toasted walnuts, blue cheese and a honey-mustard dressing.
- Citrus: orange segments, shaved fennel and olive oil.
- Apple and cheddar: crisp apple, aged cheddar and a cider vinaigrette.
- Beet and goat cheese: roasted beets, goat cheese and a few beet microgreens.
Keep the endive to about a quarter of the greens so the bitterness stays pleasant.
Storing and eating endive microgreens
Use within 5 to 7 days. Mix endive microgreens with sweeter greens, fruit and nuts in salads, or use them to cut through creamy cheeses. See microgreen mixes.
Endive FAQ
What do endive microgreens taste like?
Mildly bitter and fresh, like a softer version of grown endive. The bitterness balances sweet fruit, nuts and creamy cheese.
How long do endive microgreens take?
About 10 to 14 days from sowing. Cut them when the seed leaves are fully open.
Do I need to soak endive seed?
No. Sow it dry on moist soil, press it in and mist it well.
Written by Michael
A passionate sprouting professional sharing practical tips for growing sprouts and microgreens at home. More about Michael
Sources
- Sprouting.com (Mumm's Sprouting Seeds). Product pages: days to sprout, soak time and yield for each seed. Link
