Beta vulgaris

Beta vulgaris — one versatile species giving beetroot, chard, leaf beet and sugar beet, all descended from the wild Mediterranean sea beet. The botanical home of our beetroot and chard.

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  • €4,95

    Fodder beetroot variety for practical feeding Fodder beetroot seeds ‘Brigadier’ are an annual vegetable crop grown for substantial roots and useful leafy tops. This variety is commonly chosen as a livestock feed beet seed and...

  • €4,95

    Four-colour beet mix for patio growing beetroot seeds Hula Hoop are a vibrant choice for anyone looking for a beetroot seeds 4 color mix with attractive, round roots. This annual vegetable selection brings together contrasting...

  • Beetroot Burpee's Golden Yellow Fleshed seeds (Beta vulgaris) – annual vegetable Beetroot Burpee's Golden Yellow Fleshed (Beta vulgaris) – annual vegetable seeds from SeedsChoice
    20%
    €3,96€4,95

    Golden beetroot variety for colourful kitchen use beetroot burpee's golden seeds are a distinctive vegetable choice for gardeners who want a bright, yellow-fleshed beet with a mild, sweet flavour and a smooth texture. This annual...

  • Beetroot Kogel 2 seeds (Beta vulgaris) – annual vegetable Beetroot Kogel 2 (Beta vulgaris) – annual vegetable seeds from SeedsChoice
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    €3,56€4,45

    Beetroot variety for round red roots beetroot seeds for an annual variety known as Kogel 2, valued for producing uniform, round, red roots. These Beta vulgaris seeds are suited to gardeners looking for a dependable...

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    Detroit Early beetroot for reliable garden harvests Beetroot seeds for the well-known Detroit Early type are a classic choice for gardeners who want an early beet cultivar with consistent shape and color. This round red...

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    Distinctive striped roots for kitchen and garden beetroot tonda di chioggia seeds produce a classic striped beetroot variety known for its round shape and eye-catching interior rings. This annual vegetable root crop develops smooth, thin-skinned...

  • €5,45

    Multicolor chard for vivid garden color multicolor chard seeds are a striking annual leafy vegetable choice, valued for their bright, rainbow-toned stems and lush green leaves. Often known as bright lights chard seeds or rainbow...

  • Beetroot Loki seeds (Beta vulgaris) – annual vegetable Beetroot Loki (Beta vulgaris) – annual vegetable seeds from SeedsChoice
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    €3,96€4,95

    Beetroot variety for round, dark red roots beetroot seeds for an annual vegetable crop, selected for compact foliage and uniform, round roots with a deep, dark red colour. This round red beet variety is well...

  • €4,45

    Detroit 2 beetroot for reliable garden harvests Beetroot seeds for the classic Detroit 2 annual variety are a popular choice for gardeners who want uniform, round roots with a rich red color. This detroit 2...

  • Chioggia Beetroot seeds (Beta vulgaris) – annual vegetable Chioggia Beetroot (Beta vulgaris) – annual vegetable seeds from SeedsChoice
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    €3,96€4,95

    Chioggia beetroot with striking pink ringed flesh chioggia beetroot seeds are an annual vegetable seed choice for gardeners who want a distinctive, decorative root on the plate. This striped beetroot variety is known for its...

  • Swiss Chard Peppermint seeds (Beta vulgaris) – annual vegetable Swiss Chard Peppermint (Beta vulgaris) – annual vegetable seeds from SeedsChoice
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    €3,96€4,95

    Peppermint Swiss chard for colorful leaves swiss chard seeds ‘Peppermint’ are an annual leaf vegetable grown for their decorative, edible foliage and striking stems. This swiss chard peppermint variety stands out with white stems marked...

  • Beetroot Egyptian Flat Round seeds (Beta vulgaris) – annual vegetable Beetroot Egyptian Flat Round (Beta vulgaris) – annual vegetable seeds from SeedsChoice
    20%
    €3,56€4,45

    Egyptian Flat Round beetroot for kitchen gardens beetroot seeds for the classic Egyptian Flat Round variety are a reliable choice for gardeners who want a traditional, early summer beet variety with a distinctive flattened, round...

  • Beetroot Mixed Colours Mixture Round Roots seeds (Beta vulgaris) – annual vegetable Beetroot Mixed Colours Mixture Round Roots (Beta vulgaris) – annual vegetable seeds from SeedsChoice
    20%
    €3,96€4,95

    Mixed colour beetroot seeds for round roots beetroot seeds in a mixed-colour selection are a simple way to add variety to your root vegetable garden seeds, with round roots in several attractive shades. This annual...

  • Beetroot Egyptian Turnip Rooted seeds (Beta vulgaris) – organic annual vegetable Beetroot Egyptian Turnip Rooted (Beta vulgaris) – organic annual vegetable seeds from SeedsChoice
    20%
    €3,96€4,95

    Organic beetroot for early summer harvests beetroot egyptian turnip rooted seeds are an organic vegetable choice for gardeners who want a reliable, early summer beet variety with attractive, flat-round roots. This annual root vegetable is...

  • Swiss Chard Lucullus seeds (Beta vulgaris) – annual vegetable Swiss Chard Lucullus (Beta vulgaris) – annual vegetable seeds from SeedsChoice
    20%
    €3,56€4,45

    Swiss chard variety Lucullus for leafy harvests swiss chard seeds ‘Lucullus’ are a classic choice for gardeners who want a dependable leaf vegetable with attractive, broad ribs and generous foliage. This annual leafy vegetable is...

  • €4,95

    Rainbow microgreens and baby leaf chard seeds Swiss chard seeds in a rainbow mixture are a versatile choice for microgreens and baby leaf harvests, valued for their colourful stems and fresh green leaves. This annual...

  • Beetroot Cylindra seeds (Beta vulgaris) – annual vegetable Beetroot Cylindra (Beta vulgaris) – annual vegetable seeds from SeedsChoice
    20%
    €3,96€4,95

    Cylindra beetroot for neat, uniform slices beetroot cylindra seeds are an annual vegetable choice valued for their distinctive, half-long cylindrical roots and deep, dark red colour. This variety is often selected when you want consistent...

  • €4,95

    Organic beetroot for classic Detroit 2 harvests beetroot detroit 2 seeds are a reliable choice for gardeners looking for a classic, round beetroot variety with deep red color and a uniform shape. This organic vegetable...

  • €4,95

    Organic Swiss chard with striking red stems swiss chard seeds offer a decorative and productive leaf vegetable for the kitchen garden. This organic variety, also known as rhubarb chard, develops green leaves with pronounced red...

  • €15,95

    Brigadier Barres type fodder beet for forage Fodder beet seeds Brigadier are a Barres type fodder beet selected for uniform, oval to cylindrical roots with a distinctive orange colour. This orange fodder beet variety is...

Beta vulgaris — beetroot, chard and leaf beet

Beta vulgaris is a single, remarkably versatile species that gives us beetroot, Swiss chard, leaf beet and even sugar beet. In the kitchen garden it covers our beetroot grown for roots and the colourful chard grown for our leafy greens, within the wider root vegetable range.

History & origin

All of these vegetables descend from the wild sea beet, a tough seaside plant of the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts of Europe. The leafy forms came first: the ancient Greeks and Romans grew beet for its leaves, much as we grow chard today, while the swollen red root we call beetroot was developed later, becoming popular in Europe from around the 16th century. In the 18th and 19th centuries the same species gave rise to sugar beet, now a major source of the world's sugar.

Its name is simply the classical Latin beta for the plant, with vulgaris meaning “common.”

Botanical characteristics

A hardy biennial grown as an annual, the species is endlessly adaptable. Beetroot forms a sweet, earthy swollen root in red, golden, white or candy-striped; chard and leaf beet are grown for their glossy leaves and brightly coloured stems in pink, yellow, orange and white. Quick beetroot is forgiving enough to feature among our fast-growing vegetables, while chard is one of the most reliable cut-and-come-again leaves.

Growing Beta vulgaris from seed

Sow direct into well-prepared soil from spring, thinning the seedlings since each “seed” is actually a cluster. Keep plants evenly watered so the roots stay tender and the leaves keep coming, and sow successionally for a long season. Chard is especially hardy and crops on into autumn and winter. Our vegetable sowing calendar and soil guide cover the basics.

Ready to grow beetroot or chard? Browse the varieties or learn the basics first.

Related categories: Beetroot · Root Vegetables · Leafy Greens · Carrot · All Vegetables

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Beta vulgaris?
A single species that covers beetroot, Swiss chard, leaf beet and sugar beet.

Where does it originate?
From the wild sea beet of the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts of Europe.

Which came first, the root or the leaf?
The leaves — the Greeks and Romans grew beet much like chard; the swollen beetroot came later.

Do I need to thin the seedlings?
Usually yes — each beet “seed” is a cluster, so thin them for good roots.

How do I grow it?
Sow direct from spring, thin the seedlings and keep evenly watered.