Description

Galatina Puntarelle Chicory (Cichorium intybus), known in Italian as Cicoria Puntarelle di Galatina, is a traditional Italian leafy vegetable originating from the Salento region of southern Italy. This distinctive variety produces a generous rosette of jagged green leaves surrounding a cluster of thick, pale green and white shoots known as puntarelle.

With their crisp texture and pleasantly mild, slightly bitter flavour, puntarelle are delicious in fresh salads, sautéed with garlic and olive oil, or added to soups and traditional Mediterranean dishes. The tender inner shoots are particularly prized in Italian cuisine and make this variety an excellent addition to home vegetable gardens.

🌱 Growing Instructions

☀️ Sunlight: Prefers full sun, with at least 5–6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Benefits from partial afternoon shade during warmer weather.

💧 Watering: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Regular watering encourages tender shoots and healthy leaf development.

🌱 Soil: Plant in fertile, well-draining soil enriched with compost or organic matter.

🌡️ Temperature: Grows best in mild conditions between 10°C–22°C. Cooler autumn and winter weather encourages healthy growth, while excessive heat can cause premature flowering.

📏 Spacing: Allow approximately 25–30 cm between plants and 40–50 cm between rows for healthy rosette development.

🌾 Fertilizer: Apply a balanced vegetable fertilizer every 3–4 weeks during active growth, following product instructions.

✂️ Harvesting: Harvest when the central cluster of pale, tender shoots is well developed and compact. Typically ready approximately 60–100 days after transplanting, depending on the selection and growing conditions.

🌿 Local Growing Tips (Malta)

Best planting season: September to November, allowing plants to develop during Malta’s cooler autumn and winter months.

Position: Sunny vegetable gardens or raised beds with fertile soil, good drainage and adequate growing space.

Companion plants: Lettuce, carrots, onions and radishes.

Common issue: Excessive heat or irregular watering can encourage premature flowering (bolting) and tough, bitter shoots. Maintain consistent moisture and avoid planting during the hottest summer months.

📦 Product Information

Variety: Puntarelle di Galatina (Galatina Puntarelle Chicory)

Botanical Name: Cichorium intybus

Plant Type: Leafy Vegetable Seedling

Quantity: 12 Seedlings per Tray

Maturity: Approximately 60–100 days after transplanting, depending on selection

Harvest Season: Autumn to Spring

Special Characteristics: Traditional Sicilian-region counterpart? No — traditional Salento variety with jagged green leaves and thick, tender inner shoots arranged in a compact cluster. Excellent for fresh salads and cooked Mediterranean dishes.

Important Information

Pictures shown may vary from actual product due to the live nature of the items. Some items may be out of stock for various reasons, we will issue a refund or offer alternatives should that be the case.

The price is per one tray of 12 seedlings.