How to Grow Endive in New Zealand

A cool-season salad green with a pleasant mild bitterness. Tie the outer leaves over the heart for 2 to 3 weeks to blanch and sweeten the centre. Sow autumn through winter in the north, as it bolts in heat.

When to plant endive in New Zealand

Timing is everything in New Zealand, where the warm north and the cooler south are weeks apart. Sow or plant in these months for your region:

Region	When to sow or plant
Northland	February, March, April, August, September, October
Auckland	February, March, April, August, September, October
Waikato & BoP	February, March, April, August, September, October
Wellington	February, March, April, August, September, October
Nelson & Marlborough	February, March, April, August, September, October
Canterbury	February, March, April, August, September, October
Otago & Southland	February, March, April, August, September, October
Central Otago	February, March, April, August, September, October

Best endive varieties for NZ

Green Curled (Frisee) — Frilly fine-leaved endive for salads, mildly bitter and crisp. (Kings Seeds, Egmont Seeds)
Broad-Leaved Batavian (Escarole) — Broad flat leaves, good braised or in salads, blanches well. (Egmont Seeds, Kings Seeds)

How to grow endive

Space plants about 25cm apart.
Sow seed around 0.5cm deep.
Position: part shade.
Ready to harvest in roughly 45 days.
Seeds germinate in about 8 days.

Companion planting

Grow endive near: Lettuce, Radish, Carrot.

Pests and problems

Watch for: Aphids, Slugs, Snails. See our NZ pest and disease guide for organic control.

For a calendar tuned to your exact region, see the New Zealand planting guides or the Endive plant page.

FAQ

When is the best time to plant endive in New Zealand?

In the warm north (Auckland, Northland) sow in February, March, April, August, September, October. Cooler regions plant a little later. Check the table above for your region.

Where can I buy endive seeds or plants in NZ?

Try Kings Seeds, Egmont Seeds.