Beta vulgaris aka Swiss Chard

Taxonomy

Genus Beta Family Amaranthaceae Order Caryophyllales Class Magnoliopsida Phylum Tracheophyta
Beta vulgaris, also known as beet, is a flowering plant in the subfamily Betoideae of the family Amaranthaceae and is the most important crop of the Caryophyllales order. There are several cultivar groups, including the sugar beet for producing table sugar, the beetroot or garden beet for root vegetable purposes, and the leaf vegetable known as chard, spinach beet, or silverbeet. The mangelwurzel is also a cultivar group used for fodder crops. This plant has three subspecies, all falling into Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris. The cultivated beets are descendants of the sea beet, which is the wild ancestor. Beets are easy to grow, cool-season annual vegetables that are typically grown from seed in well-prepared soil. They are a popular choice for northern gardeners as they can survive frost and near-freezing temperatures. The beetroot is the taproot portion of the beet plant and is known as the table beet, garden beet, red beet, dinner beet, or golden beet in North America. It is one of several cultivated varieties of Beta vulgaris grown for its edible taproots and leaves, also called beet greens. Beets are also used as a food coloring and as a medicinal plant. Many beet products are made from other Beta vulgaris varieties, particularly the sugar beet. The leaf beet group includes cultivars such as Swiss chard and beet spinach, which are grown for their edible leafy greens. The biennials in this group do not produce flowers until their second year. The leaves are edible raw or cooked, but the thick stalks are best eaten after cooking.

Common names

Swiss Chard, Sea Beet, Beetroot

How to care for Swiss Chard

Difficulty

Swiss Chard requires a bit more attention and knowledge to thrive, making it a suitable plant for those with some gardening experience.

Water

Swiss Chard should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Swiss Chard loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Swiss Chard requires abundant, bright and direct light. Placing it less than one foot from a window is the best way to make sure the plant receives enough light to survive and thrive. Depending on your region, however, the current weather can affect the placement of the plant in your home. For example, in some areas the sun may be too direct and intense, so it's best to place it farther away from the window. You may also need to adjust your placement according to the season as the sunlight can change intensity over the course of the year. If you live in a region with significant temperature fluctuations, such as a desert, you may need to place the plant a bit farther away from the window to avoid extreme heat or cold. With some care and attention, your Swiss Chard will be sure to bring you many years of beauty and enjoyment.

Dormancy

During the cold period, it is common for Swiss Chard to go dormant and their growth may slow down, so waterings should be spaced out more during this period.

Cat approves this plant

Toxicity

Swiss Chard is not known to cause harm to humans or pets.

Fertilizer

The Swiss Chard should be repotted either when it doubles in size or annually, whichever comes first. Providing new potting soil with all the vital nutrients annually is enough to support the growth of the plant, and thus, there is no need for fertilizer. Remember that plants derive their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.

Growth-pattern

New growth will sprout from the top of the plant as it grows upwards.

Region of origin

Swiss Chard’s native range is A cultivated form of B. vulgaris maritima that is grown for the sugar content of its root.

More info:
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More Species in Beta Genus

Beta vulgaris Swiss Chard

Beta vulgaris flavescens Swiss Chard

Beta lomatogona Beet

Beta vulgaris cicla Swiss Chard

Beta vulgaris maritima

Beta trigyna Caucasian Beet

Beta vulgaris vulgaris Root Beet