Crops › Radicchio
How to grow Radicchio
in the US
Sow May to August, plant out September, harvest August to November. About 70 days from seed to plate.
Shown for zone 6. Zone table further down.
Radicchio, it's a bit like a fancy lettuce really, with that lovely bitter kick and proper color. It's an Asteraceae, same family as lettuce, and not too tricky to grow once you get the hang of it, you know. Adds a cracking crunch to your salads straight from the plot.
Sowing
Timing is everything with radicchio, depends on your USDA zone and when your last frost hits. Some varieties like to start indoors, others direct sow right there in the soil. Sow the seeds about a quarter-inch deep, making sure they're a good inch or so apart. Keep the soil moist, not soaking wet, and they should pop up in about a week. Check the GrowMore CookMore app for precise dates for your zone, but generally, you're looking at sowing from late spring through late summer.
Growing on
Once your indoor seedlings have a couple of true leaves, gently prick them out and pot them on into individual small pots. Give them a few weeks to grow on strong, then harden them off properly before planting them out after your last frost. Space them about 8 to 12 inches apart in the ground, or you can grow them in decent-sized containers too, no problem. They don't need any special support, just room to spread.
Looking after it
Radicchio likes steady moisture, so make sure to water regularly, especially if it's a dry spell. Keep on top of the weeds around them, they'll steal all the goodness. You don't need to feed them loads; a bit of general purpose fertilizer when you plant them out is usually plenty to keep them happy through the season.
What goes wrong
To be honest, the biggest pains are usually slugs and aphids. Slugs love those tender leaves, so keep an eye out and use whatever method works for you to keep them off. Aphids can gather on the undersides of leaves; a strong spray of water or a bit of insecticidal soap should sort them. Planting marigolds or nasturtium nearby can sometimes help deter pests, like I say, it's worth a try.
Harvest
You're looking at about 70 days from sowing until harvest, so keep an eye on them. When the heads feel nice and firm, just like a small cabbage, that's when they're ready. Cut them at soil level with a sharp knife. If you've got a glut, they'll store well in a cool, dry place or you can pop them in the fridge for a week or two.
I've found it really helps to give radicchio a bit of afternoon shade if your summers get proper hot, stops them bolting too quick and going bitter on you.
Dates for your plot
Type your zone and the plant-out advice shifts to your frost dates.
Varieties, and whether the club would grow them again
| Variety | Club verdict |
|---|---|
| Chioggia Chioggia variety of Radicchio, reliable performer. It's a great choice for those starting seeds indoors, perfect for getting an early start. | No club votes yet |
| Treviso Treviso variety of Radicchio, reliable performer. This one's ideal if you prefer direct sowing straight into your plot. | No club votes yet |
| Castelfranco Castelfranco variety of Radicchio, reliable performer. A lovely option for indoor sowing, it's known for its unique coloring and mild flavor. | No club votes yet |
| Verona Verona variety of Radicchio, reliable performer. This is a sturdy choice for direct sowing, giving you good, consistent heads. | No club votes yet |
| Palla Rossa Palla Rossa variety of Radicchio, reliable performer. A cracking round-headed type, perfect for sowing indoors to get ahead. | No club votes yet |
| Indigo Indigo variety of Radicchio, reliable performer. If you like to sow straight into the ground, this one's a solid choice for a good harvest. | No club votes yet |
| Leonardo Leonardo variety of Radicchio, reliable performer. This variety does well when started indoors, giving you strong plants for your plot. | No club votes yet |
| Perseo Perseo variety of Radicchio, reliable performer. A dependable option for direct sowing, it produces good, firm heads. | No club votes yet |
| Rossa di Verona Rossa di Verona variety of Radicchio, reliable performer. This is a classic for indoor sowing, known for its deep red color. | No club votes yet |
| Rossa di Treviso Rossa di Treviso variety of Radicchio, reliable performer. A fantastic choice for direct sowing, especially known for its elongated shape. | No club votes yet |
| Marzatica Marzatica variety of Radicchio, reliable performer. It's a good one to start indoors, giving you robust plants for transplanting. | No club votes yet |
| Ruber Ruber variety of Radicchio, reliable performer. This variety is perfect if you prefer to sow seeds directly into your garden. | No club votes yet |
| Rossa di Chioggia 5 Rossa di Chioggia 5 variety of Radicchio, reliable performer. A cracking variant of the popular Chioggia, best started indoors for best results. | No club votes yet |
| Variegata di Castelfranco Variegata di Castelfranco variety of Radicchio, reliable performer. This one offers beautiful variegated leaves and does well with direct sowing. | No club votes yet |
| Precoce di Chioggia Precoce di Chioggia variety of Radicchio, reliable performer. An excellent early type, ideal for sowing indoors to get ahead of the season. | No club votes yet |
Votes are members rating varieties in their Seed Tin, one vote per gardener. Tap a variety for the full page and where to buy.
Buy Radicchio seeds
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Sowing by USDA zone
| Zone | Sow / plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | May to July | September to October |
| Zone 4 | May to July | August to October |
| Zone 5 | May to August | August to November |
| Zone 6 | May to August | August to November |
| Zone 7 | May to August | August to November |
| Zone 8 | May to September | August to December |
| Zone 9 | June to September | September to December |
| Zone 10 | July to October | October to December |
Cook the harvest
Creamy Arborio risotto enriched with shredded radicchio that melts into the rice as it cooks, turning the whole dish a beautiful deep rose-pink. A finishing stir of butter and Parmesan brings the risotto to a silky, restaurant-quality texture, and the mild bitterness of the radicchio cuts beautifully through the richness. This is an elegant winter dish that turns a humble bitter leaf into something genuinely special.
45 min · mediumA jewel-toned winter salad that contrasts the purple-crimson bitterness of radicchio with ruby-red blood orange segments, creamy white burrata, and a honey-citrus dressing. Visually stunning and a powerhouse of flavors, this salad is proof that the most beautiful dishes can also be the simplest. Perfect as an elegant first course.
15 min · easyA striking, magenta-purple risotto where the radicchio's natural pigments bleed into the Arborio rice during cooking, creating a breathtaking presentation. The bitterness of the radicchio mellows into the creamy rice, balanced by a good splash of red wine and the richness of butter and Parmesan. An impressive dinner party centerpiece.
55 min · challengingA deeply satisfying winter pasta where radicchio is wilted in olive oil with garlic until it turns sweet and silky, then tossed with rigatoni, toasted walnuts, Parmesan, and a splash of pasta water into a rich, complex sauce. The bitterness of the radicchio melts almost completely during cooking, leaving behind a sweetness that plays beautifully against the earthy walnuts and salty Parmesan. This is a 25-minute weeknight dinner that feels genuinely special.
30 min · easyWatch for, and grow alongside
Companions: marigolds, nasturtium
Questions people ask
When do you sow Radicchio in the US?
Sow Radicchio from May to August in zone 6, earlier or later by zone. Plant out September, after the last frost.
How long does Radicchio take from sowing to harvest?
Roughly 70 days, with the harvest August to November.
Which Radicchio varieties do gardeners grow again?
Club members rate every variety they grow. This page shows the grow-again votes for Chioggia, Treviso, Castelfranco, Verona and more.
Track your Radicchio from packet to plate
Sowing reminders and harvest forecasts for your own frost dates, the Seed Tin, Scan Centre for any label or packet, and the Potty Mouth Garden Club. Free to start.
Allotment keeper in the North East of England, the voice behind the Tony C Smith YouTube channel, and the gardener who built GrowMore CookMore. Club numbers on this page update as members log their plots. Last updated 3 September 2026.