Swiss Chard

Plant Overview

Swiss Chard (Beta vulgaris subsp. 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-0041

Family

Amaranthaceae

Plant type

Vegetable

Life cycle

Biennial commonly grown as an annual crop

Growth habit

Upright leafy biennial commonly grown as an annual, forming a rosette of broad leaves with thick edible stalks

Mature height

Commonly about 12-24 inches tall

Mature spread

Commonly about 12-18 inches wide

Difficulty

Easy

Growing Conditions

Swiss Chard is listed for full sun to partial shade conditions. Water needs are listed as moderate; keep soil evenly moist to support tender leaves and steady regrowth while avoiding prolonged waterlogging. The database soil reference is Fertile, well-drained loam rich in organic matter with good moisture retention. 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 to partial shade

Soil

Fertile, well-drained loam rich in organic matter with good moisture retention

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Water needs

Moderate; keep soil evenly moist to support tender leaves and steady regrowth while avoiding prolonged waterlogging

Plant spacing

Space plants roughly 8-12 inches apart for full-sized plants, with closer spacing possible for baby-leaf harvests

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

Swiss chard seed germinates well under cool to mild conditions, commonly around 50-75°F, with consistent moisture

Seed depth

About 1/4-1 inch depending on seed size

Sowing method

Direct sow Swiss chard seed in prepared soil or start seedlings in containers for transplanting; thin clustered seedlings after emergence to the desired spacing

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 outer leaves and stalks as needed once they reach usable size, leaving the central growing point intact for continued production

Propagation

Primarily propagated by seed; each seed cluster can produce more than one seedling and may require thinning

Seed saving

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

Pollination

Swiss chard is wind-pollinated when allowed to flower and can cross readily with other Beta vulgaris crops such as beets

Garden Information

Common pests

Leaf miners, aphids, flea beetles, slugs, snails, caterpillars, and other foliage-feeding pests

Common diseases

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

Uses

Leaves and stalks for sautéing, steaming, soups, stews, casseroles, salads, and other culinary uses