Beet

Plant Overview

Beet (Beta vulgaris) is listed in the Amaranthaceae family and categorized as a vegetable with a biennial commonly grown as an annual crop life cycle. This profile summarizes growing information for hardiness, light, soil, water, seed starting, maturity, and other available cultivation details. Difficulty is listed as Easy.

Plant ID

PLT-0031

Family

Amaranthaceae

Plant type

Vegetable

Life cycle

Biennial commonly grown as an annual crop

Growth habit

Cool-season herbaceous biennial commonly grown as an annual for its swollen root and edible leaves

Mature height

Commonly about 12-18 inches tall when grown for roots and greens

Mature spread

Commonly about 6-12 inches wide

Difficulty

Easy

Growing Conditions

Beet is listed for full sun conditions. Water needs are listed as moderate; keep soil evenly moist to support tender roots and steady growth while avoiding prolonged waterlogging. The database soil reference is Loose, fertile, well-drained loam or sandy loam with good organic matter and few stones. The listed soil pH range is 6.0-7.0, and the listed hardiness range is 2-11 as an annual crop.

Hardiness zones

2-11 as an annual crop

Sunlight

Full sun

Soil

Loose, fertile, well-drained loam or sandy loam with good organic matter and few stones

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Water needs

Moderate; keep soil evenly moist to support tender roots and steady growth while avoiding prolonged waterlogging

Plant spacing

Thin or transplant plants to roughly 3-4 inches apart for roots, with rows about 12-18 inches apart

Seed & Germination

For seed starting, the listed germination time is Typically 5-14 days from seed when conditions are suitable and the seed depth is About 1/4-1 inch depending on seed size. The listed time to maturity is Typically 45-120 days depending on cultivar and growing conditions. Use these values as general reference points and adjust for local climate, seed source, and growing conditions.

Germination

Typically 5-14 days from seed when conditions are suitable

Germination temperature

Beet seed germinates across cool to mild soil temperatures, with strong germination commonly occurring around 50-75°F

Seed depth

About 1/4-1 inch depending on seed size

Sowing method

Direct sow beet seed in prepared garden soil, then thin clustered seedlings after emergence; succession sowings can extend the harvest season

Start indoors

Optional for crops that tolerate transplanting; otherwise direct sow

Transplanting

Transplant after hardening off when temperatures suit the crop

Harvest & Propagation

Days to maturity

Typically 45-120 days depending on cultivar and growing conditions

Harvest

Harvest roots when they reach the desired size, commonly about 1-3 inches in diameter; young leaves can be harvested earlier as greens

Propagation

Primarily propagated by seed; each beet seed cluster may produce more than one seedling and often requires thinning

Seed saving

Beets are biennial and must overwinter or be replanted to flower in their second season; allow seed stalks to mature and dry before collecting, and isolate from Swiss chard and other Beta vulgaris crops to limit cross-pollination

Pollination

Beets are wind-pollinated and readily cross with other Beta vulgaris crops such as Swiss chard when allowed to flower

Garden Information

Common pests

Leaf miners, aphids, flea beetles, cutworms, wireworms, slugs, and root-feeding insects

Common diseases

Cercospora leaf spot, downy mildew, damping-off, root rots, scab, and other fungal or bacterial diseases

Uses

Edible roots and greens for fresh eating, roasting, boiling, pickling, salads, soups, juices, and preserving