Browse common endive varieties at our Vegetable Varieties for Gardeners website.“Curly leaved” endive varieties have heavily curled, deeply toothed leaves that form rosettes. The leaves can hold water, making these varieties prone to leaf diseases, especially in fall-harvested plantings.
“Flat-leaved” endive varieties, called escarole, have leaves that are broader, flatter, and only slightly crumpled, and so are not as prone to diseases. They also form loose heads, are hardier, and are more tender and milder tasting than curly endive.
Do not confuse these crops with Belgian endive, a member of the same genus which is grown for its roots and forced tops.
For spring plantings, look for slow-bolting varieties that can withstand the heat of early summer longer before going to seed (bolting).
Some heirloom varieties have purplish-red leaves.
Some varieties recommended for New York include:
Florida Deepheart
Full Heart Bavarian
Green Curled
Rhodus (Tres Fine) - hybrid
