Beet
Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris
Vegetables Difficulty: Easy
📖 About this plant
A versatile root vegetable prized for its deep red, golden, or striped edible roots and nutritious leafy greens. Both parts are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Beets are biennials typically grown as annuals, performing best in cool weather.
🧑🌾 Care requirements
☀️
Light
Full sun (6-8 hrs)
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Water
Every 1-2 weeks
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Humidity
Moderate (40-60%)
🌡️
Temperature
10-25°C
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Soil
Loamy, well-draining soil rich in organic matter; pH 6.0-7.5
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Fertilizer
Balanced NPK fertilizer (10-10-10) at planting; side-dress with nitrogen 4-6 weeks after emergence
📋 Plant facts
- 🌍 Origin
- Mediterranean region, Near East
- 📏 Max height
- 30-60 cm
- 📐 Spread
- 15-30 cm
- 🕰️ Bloom time
- Summer
- 🎨 Bloom color
- Green, Red
- 🍃 Foliage color
- Green, Red Veined
- ⏳ Lifespan
- Biennial
- 📈 Growth rate
- Moderate
- ☠️ Toxicity
- Non-toxic edible roots and leaves; beet greens contain oxalates — consume in moderation
- 🌱 Propagation
- Direct sow seeds 1.3 cm deep outdoors 2-4 weeks before last frost; thin to 5-10 cm apart
🛡️ Health & Safety
🐾 Pet safe
✅ Non-toxic
Non-toxic edible roots and leaves; beet greens contain oxalates — consume in moderation
Common issues
- Boron deficiency causes internal black spots, Bolting in hot weather, Damping off in cold wet soil
💡 Care tips
- Both roots and leafy greens are edible and nutritious,Harvest when roots reach 1.5-3 inches in diameter for best flavor,Tolerates light frost and actually tastes sweeter after a cold snap,Thin seedlings to 3-4 inches apart for proper root development
🪴 Add to My Plants
One click — added instantly. Watering every 11 days, fertilizing every 35 days.
