About
Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris represents the wild ancestor of cultivated beet varieties. It features robust, dark green leaves that are edible, similar to those of leaf beet, and has vibrant stems that enhance its visual appeal as a foliage plant akin to chard. In certain forms, the root develops a swollen structure reminiscent of beetroot, sugar beet, and fodder beets like manglewurzel. The plant produces numerous small, pale green flowers that 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, Herbs - Culinary
- 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
- Cottage and informal garden
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in any moist but well-drained soil in good light. Will grow well in coastal locations. For more advice, see beetroot cultivation
- 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