Batavian Full Heart Escarole is a compact, tender chicory that delivers the satisfying bite of escarole in just 55 days. This cultivar grows to a neat 8 inches tall with a 10-inch spread, making it surprisingly approachable for gardeners intimidated by larger greens. The variety earns its 'Full Heart' name from a densely packed center of blanched leaves that soften the characteristic escarole bitterness into something more refined and herbaceous. Grow it in full sun with 12 inches of space between plants, and you'll have harvestable heads by early summer or, better yet, by fall when frost naturally sweetens the flavor.
Full Sun
—
?-?
8in H x 10in W
—
High
Hover over chart points for details
The dense, blanched heart is the real draw here, giving you tender inner leaves that cook down beautifully or stand up to bold dressings without the aggressive bitterness of open-leafed escarole varieties. At just 8 inches tall and 10 inches wide, it fits neatly into tight garden spaces and containers, making it far more accessible than sprawling chicory types. The flavor deepens and mellows after frost, transforming from pleasantly sharp to almost nutty, which is why fall harvests are genuinely superior to spring ones.
Batavian Full Heart Escarole shines both raw and cooked. The tender blanched heart works beautifully in salads dressed with warm vinaigrettes, caramelized walnuts, and onions, where its slight bitterness plays off sweet and savory elements. Cooked escarole traditionally pairs with beans for fall soups and braises, a pairing that brings out the vegetable's earthy, mineral qualities. The full heart also wilts gently into pasta dishes or can be sautéed simply with garlic and oil.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Sow seeds directly into garden soil in early spring or late summer for a fall harvest. Space seeds 12 inches apart in rows 12 inches apart.
Harvest Batavian Full Heart Escarole at 55 days or when the plant reaches approximately 8 inches tall. Cut the entire head at soil level or harvest outer leaves as needed while the plant continues to produce. For the best flavor and texture, wait until after the first light frost to harvest if possible, as cold temperatures sweeten the leaves and soften any bitterness.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.