About
Beta vulgaris subsp. maritima is the wild ancestor of all cultivated beet varieties. This species thrives in various environments, including coastal areas, and its dark green foliage is suitable for consumption. Clusters of small, pale green flowers emerge near the stem, though they are not particularly noticeable.
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, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H7
Plant details
- Plant type
- Annual Biennial
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Foliage
- Semi evergreen
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 1-2 years
- Suggested uses
- Coastal
- Native to
- Europe
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in any moist but well-drained soil in good light. Will grow well in coastal locations
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to pigeons and slugs and snails
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to grey moulds and downy mildews