About
Beta vulgaris 'Cheltenham Green Top' is an annual vegetable cultivated primarily for its edible root. This variety develops a long, tapering taproot known for its superior taste and robust foliage that facilitates easy harvesting. The young leaves are also consumable.
About the genus
Beta comprises annual, biennial, or perennial plants characterized by rosettes of basal foliage and robust, fleshy roots. This genus encompasses various wild species alongside cultivated varieties like beetroot, chard, and sugar beet.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Sand, Loam, Chalk, Clay
- Soil pH
- Acid, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H3
Plant details
- Plant type
- Annual Biennial
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 0.5-1 metres
- Time to full height
- 1 year
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in fertile, free-draining soil in full sun. Sow at fortnightly intervals from March to July for a successional harvest. See RHS Grow Your Own Beetroot Guide
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to aphids, flea beetles and mangold fly (beet leaf miner)
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to beetroot heart rot, black leg and leaf spot