Last edited on 2 Nov 2026. View history

scarola Scarola

Cichorium endivia
Also known as indivia scarola (EN)

A variety of endive

How to sow scarola: Direct seed indoors, transplant outside after hardening off seedlings

Sun requirement for scarola: Plant in Full Sun

An old Italian endive that has been in New Zealand for many years, with a flat shape and a quartered heart like many old roses. Tender lime green leaves that are lighter in the heart, with a very mild, delicious taste. Beautifully ornamental in the garden and sits well over winter. Sow in trays in autumn, prick out at 3 cm and transplant 3 to 4 weeks later at 25 cm diagonal spacing.

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Scarola facts

Lifespan

Annual living and reproducing in a single year or less

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Ecological requirements

Data from the FAO EcoCrop database for Cichorium endivia L.

Family / Taxonomy Magnoliopsida
Asteridae
Asterales
Compositae
Optimal temperature 15 - 23 °C
Absolute temperature 5 - 30 °C
Killing temperature growth: -1 °C, rest: -5 °C
Optimal rainfall 1000 - 1400 mm/year
Absolute rainfall 300 - 2500 mm/year
Optimal soil pH 6.5 - 7.8
Absolute soil pH 5.3 - 8.5
Crop cycle 70 - 85 days
Max altitude 2000 m
Life form herb
Life span annual, biennial
Habit acaulescent (or rosette plants)
Optimal soil depth shallow (20-50 cm)
Optimal soil texture medium, organic
Optimal soil fertility high
Optimal soil drainage well (dry spells)
Optimal soil salinity low (<4 dS/m)
Photoperiod short day (<12 hours), neutral day (12-14 hours), long day (>14 hours)
Optimal light clear skies

Licensed under CC-BY-4.0 .

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2025) ECOCROP, the crop ecological requirements database. Version 1. https://data.apps.fao.org/catalog/dataset/ecocrop. Accessed through the CGIAR Climate Action Data Hub, https://cgiar-climate-data-hub.github.io/catalog/ecocrop_1/.

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