Beta vulgaris /beːta/
Common name: Beet · Beetroot · Swiss chard · Sugar beet
Beta vulgaris is a biennial in the amaranth family (Amaranthaceae), descended from the sea beet of European and Mediterranean coastlines. Selective breeding has produced distinct crops from the same species: beetroot for its swollen red root, Swiss chard for its leaves, and sugar beet for industrial sugar. Both the roots and greens of garden beets are edible.
Care summary
Sun
Full sun to partial shade
Water
Evenly moist soil; about 2.5 cm (1 in) per week
Soil
Loose, fertile, well-draining, pH 6.0–7.0
Hardiness
Zones 2–11 as a cool-season crop
Mature height
30–45 cm (12–18 in)
Pet safe
Non-toxic; small amounts safe for pets
Difficulty
Easy
Propagation
Grown from seed sown directly into the garden bed or containers about 1-2 cm deep once the soil is workable. Each seed cluster produces several seedlings, so thin to the strongest plant per spot, roughly 8-10 cm apart.
Fun facts
- About a fifth of the world's sugar comes from sugar beets, a cultivar group of this same species.
- The vivid red pigment betanin is used as a natural food coloring — and is why beets stain everything.
- Beetroot juice is studied by athletes for its dietary nitrates, which may improve endurance.
- Each beet "seed" is actually a dried fruit cluster containing several true seeds, so thinning is essential.