9 Unique Radicchio Varieties Gardeners Can Grow
Bring bold color and crisp flavor to fall beds with a selection of eye-catching radicchio.
If you associate radicchio only with a ‘bitter round cabbage,’ prepare to be surprised. This distinct member of the chicory family brings a spectrum of flavors, textures, and dazzling leaf patterns prized by chefs and home gardeners alike. Radicchio’s appeal lies not just in its famous winter hardiness, but also in its diverse Italian heritage—each variety with subtle differences tailored to specific culinary and garden uses.
Why Grow Radicchio?
- Diverse flavors: From deep bitterness to subtle sweetness depending on type and season
- Cold hardy: Withstands chilly autumns and can even overwinter in mild climates
- Visual interest: Maroon, pink, and creamy hues with speckles and stripes
- Culinary versatility: Grill, roast, braise, or serve fresh in salads
Understanding Radicchio Types
Known for their bold colors and signature crunch, radicchio varieties are grouped mainly by their growing regions in Italy. These cultivars were bred for local climate and cuisine, resulting in differences in size, shape, leaf pattern—but all sharing that characteristic chicory tang.
Main Types
- Chioggia: Tight round heads with vivid maroon leaves and white ribs
- Treviso: Romaine-shaped heads with elongated leaves
- Castelfranco: Creamy leaves with red speckles in a loose rosette
- Variegato di Lusia: Variegated cream and crimson heads
- Verona: Small, deep-red, egg-shaped heads
9 Delicious Radicchio Varieties to Explore
Each variety brings something new to the table—literally and figuratively. Some are ideal for grilling, others for fresh salads, and a few add dramatic flair as edible bowls or garnishes. Here’s a detailed look at nine notable radicchio varieties:
1. Rosso di Chioggia
- Appearance: Compact round heads, intensely maroon leaves with contrasting white ribs
- Flavor: Classic bold bitterness, vegetable’s favorite for salads and grilling
- Best Use: Sliced thin in slaws, roasted, or grilled to mellow the sharp bite
- Growing Tips: Matures in cool autumn weather, frost enhances sweetness
This is the variety most US consumers recognize, grown for dependable yields and solid heads that withstand the rigors of storage and shipping.
2. Treviso Precoce
- Appearance: Romaine-like elongated heads, upright crunchy leaves
- Flavor: Slightly milder than Chioggia, retains crunch when cooked
- Best Use: Excellent grilled or roasted, can be used as wraps for fillings
- Growing Tips: Bolting can be an issue, so select bolt-resistant cultivars like ‘Caravaggio’
This variety is cherished for its unique shape and the way it caramelizes when exposed to heat.
3. Variegato di Castelfranco
- Appearance: Creamy yellow-green leaves flecked with vivid red speckles, open rosette formation
- Flavor: Notably mild, with subtle bitterness balanced by buttery texture
- Best Use: Stunning in fresh salads, as a pizza topping, and as bowls for appetizers
- Growing Tips: Harvest heads just as they begin to open or peel leaves for a floral display
What others are reading
Often misidentified, Castelfranco’s stunning appearance makes it a favorite with gourmet chefs and farm market shoppers.
4. Variegato di Lusia
- Appearance: Cream-colored leaves speckled with crimson-purple, tightly packed round heads
- Flavor: Gentle bitterness, sweetens towards the pale center
- Best Use: Colorful salads and decorative garnishes
- Growing Tips: Peels open slightly at harvest; handle carefully to showcase center hues
An heirloom variety admired for its dazzling colors and delicate texture. Its layered structure and shifting color make every head unique.
5. Rosso di Verona
- Appearance: Egg-shaped mini-heads, deep crimson foliage, triangular tips
- Flavor: Balanced bitterness, slightly nutty and clean finish
- Best Use: Edible cups for serving cheeses, spreads, or roasted veggies
- Growing Tips: Grows best as a fall crop, frost improves flavor and tint
Originating in the late 18th century, Rosso di Verona is famed as both one of the cutest varieties and a standout for presentation on cheese platters.
6. Palla Rossa ‘Mavrik’
- Appearance: Deep-red, compact round heads, white ribs
- Flavor: Classic bittersweet profile; flavor mellows with frost or quick cooking
- Best Use: Suitable for salads, braising, or grilling
- Growing Tips: Frost tolerant, heads regrow after cutting, 80–95 days to maturity
Popular for its reliable production in cold weather, ‘Mavrik’ is a type of Chioggia radicchio valued for overwintering and resilience.
7. Tardivo di Treviso
- Appearance: Long, slender heads with white ribs and vibrant maroon tips
- Flavor: Richly bitter, more intense than Precoce
- Best Use: Traditional in Italian grilled dishes, risotto
- Growing Tips: Requires special forcing after harvesting to develop plump heads
Tardivo di Treviso is a culinary showpiece, prized in Italy for winter harvest and flamboyant color.
8. Rosa del Veneto
- Appearance: Pretty pink heads, a newer cultivar gaining popularity
- Flavor: Mild bitterness, more delicate than deep red types
- Best Use: Salad mixes and novel garnishes
- Growing Tips: Offers beautiful pastel color in cooler autumn weather
Rosa del Veneto is eye-catching in any garden, desirable for both color and for people who prefer less bitterness.
9. Sugarloaf (Pan di Zucchero)
- Appearance: Large, upright heads similar to romaine, green leaves
- Flavor: Much milder, crisp, with only a hint of bitterness
- Best Use: Sliced fresh in salads, excellent for longer harvest windows
- Growing Tips: Varieties like ‘Virtus’ yield large, uniform heads
Favorably used for extended harvests and versatility, Sugarloaf is a gateway radicchio for gardeners and eaters new to the genre.
Growing Radicchio Successfully
Radicchio is grown primarily for cool-season harvests, with many Italian varieties bred specifically for fall and winter growing cycles. Here are the fundamentals for producing quality, marketable heads:
- Timing: Sow seeds 8–10 weeks before first frost, transplant after 4 weeks
- Ideal Temperatures: Germinate at 60–75°F, grow best in cool conditions
- Spacing: Place seeds or seedlings 8–10 inches apart, rows 18 inches between
- Issues: Watch for bolting (premature flowering), tip burn, and rot especially during temperature and moisture fluctuations
- Frost: Many varieties improve sweetness and color with exposure to cold
Disease resistance, bolting, and uniformity differ among cultivars; choose regionally-adapted varieties for best results.
Harvesting Tips
- Harvest tight, mature heads after chilly nights for optimal crunch and flavor
- Outer leaves may be peeled back to reveal the most vibrant coloring inside
- For self-blanching types, peel or split heads just before serving to showcase the rosette
Radicchio in the Kitchen
Radicchio complements a variety of dishes, balancing fatty and rich flavors with its signature bitterness. Classic pairings include cheese platters, hearty meats, citrus salads, and savory stuffings.
- Grilled or roasted to deepen sweetness and tame bitterness
- Used as edible bowls for creamy appetizers
- Tossed fresh in salads or wilted into pastas and risottos
Radicchio Variety Comparison Table
| Variety | Color | Shape | Bitterness | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rosso di Chioggia | Maroon & White | Round | Strong | Salads, Grill |
| Treviso Precoce | Red & White | Elongated | Moderate | Grill, Wraps |
| Castelfranco | Cream/Red Flecks | Rosette | Mild | Fresh, Garnish |
| Lusia | Cream/Crimson | Round | Mild | Salad, Presentation |
| Rosso di Verona | Crimson | Egg-shaped | Moderate | Cheese Cups |
| Palla Rossa ‘Mavrik’ | Deep Red | Round | Bitter | Grill, Salads |
| Tardivo di Treviso | Red/White | Long | High | Grill, Risotto |
| Rosa del Veneto | Pink | Round | Mild | Salad, Garnish |
| Sugarloaf | Green | Upright | Low | Fresh, Long Harvest |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Why is radicchio bitter and can I mellow the taste?
A: Bitterness is a hallmark of radicchio, but exposure to frost, grilling, or roasting can sweeten the flavor dramatically. Balancing with fats (like cheese) or citrus helps round out its taste.
Q: Which radicchio variety is best for beginners?
A: The Chioggia types, especially ‘Indigo’ or ‘Mavrik’, are most forgiving and have high marketability due to their uniform heads and resistance to common issues like bolting and tip burn.
Q: Can radicchio be grown year-round?
A: Radicchio is primarily a cool-season crop; most varieties do best when sown in late summer for autumn harvest. In milder climates, it can overwinter, especially frost-tolerant types.
Q: Are there green radicchio varieties?
A: Yes, Sugarloaf is a notable green radicchio, with a much milder flavor profile perfect for those new to chicories.
Q: What’s the difference between radicchio and endive?
A: Both belong to the chicory family, but radicchio varieties are typically more vividly colored and bitter, while endive has pale curly leaves and milder flavor.
Radicchio: A Culinary Adventure for Gardeners
From the classic maroon Rosso di Chioggia to the spectacularly speckled Castelfranco and the delicate pink Rosa del Veneto, radicchio offers gardeners both a harvest of flavor and visual feast. Its adaptability to cold weather, resilience against disease, and dramatic presence in both garden and kitchen make radicchio one of the most rewarding crops for adventurous growers.
- Choose your favorite varieties based on flavor, color, and growing conditions
- Experiment with different preparation methods to bring out the best in these unique Italian greens
- Enjoy radicchio’s transformation from bitter raw leaf to sweet, caramelized treat with a touch of autumn frost or grill
References
- https://www.epicgardening.com/radicchio-varieties-2/
- https://www.unh.edu/unhtoday/2024/06/best-radicchio-varieties-new-england-farmers
- https://www.chicoryweek.com/blog/2019/8/7/growing-radicchio
- https://shop.epicgardening.com/products/palla-rossa-mavrik-radicchio-seeds
- https://www.epicgardening.com/radicchio-plant/
Similar Articles
Read full bio of Anjali Sayee
Community Experiences
Join the conversation and become a part of our empowering community! Share your stories, experiences, and insights to connect with other beauty, lifestyle, and health enthusiasts.