Growing Silverbeet, also Swiss Chard or Mangold

Beta vulgaris var. cicla : Amaranthaceae / the amaranth family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
  S                    
      T                
    P P                

(Best months for growing Silverbeet in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 50°F and 86°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 6 - 12 inches apart
  • Harvest in 7-12 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Beans, brassica sp. (cabbage, cauliflower, etc), tomato, allium sp. (onion, garlic, chives), lavender, parsnip
  • Avoid growing close to: Corn, melon, cucurbit (cucumbers, squash, melons, gourds), most herbs, potato.

Your comments and tips

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for USA | for all countries
27 Apr 16, Daniel (Australia - temperate climate)
Potting mix may not have enough nitrogen and water holding capacity for silverbeet. Cow manure and compost may be better. A side application of manure may encourage some growth.
Reply or Post a new comment
09 Apr 16, Vera (Australia - temperate climate)
Hello. I have a question, i have a silverbeet plant in my garden , i have had this plant growing for over one year, The stem is as thick as my wrist, and its still producing the leaves , should i still eat the silverbeet or pull it out , Regards Vera fisher
Reply or Post a new comment
12 Apr 16, Cassie (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Vera, they are supposed to be biennial (ie flower in the second year) but i just keep pulling off leaves and eating them. I've had them grow to 2m, branched and ugly but as long as the leaves arent bitter I still use it.
Reply or Post a new comment
13 Apr 16, Vera (Australia - temperate climate)
Thank you Cassie I will steam some up and taste to see if bitter, if so then i will start from scratch with new seedlings . Vera
Reply or Post a new comment
08 Dec 15, bill (Australia - temperate climate)
I grow all my vegetables in 200liter drums which I have cut into 3sections . I use lucerne chaff and cow manure which I mix to togeather . I find silverbeet growes very well in the rich mixture along wih all my other vegetabls .
Reply or Post a new comment
23 Oct 15, Ruth Tomlin (Australia - temperate climate)
I grow silverbeet in a polystyrene box, and it only grows a few inches high, but I pull off the outer leaves for salad or to cook. I have 12 plants growing in the box. I give it seasol each week and it is growing very well! I also grow lettuces, kale, cabbages an broad beans in polystyrene boxes! No dig gardening!
Reply or Post a new comment
16 Jun 15, Colin (Australia - temperate climate)
Please help! How can I get crisp white stems and dark green leaves on my Fordhook Giant like the stuff I see in the supermarket? My plants never get past mid-green.
Reply or Post a new comment
24 Oct 15, Teesha (Australia - temperate climate)
Lots of sun!
Reply or Post a new comment
08 Apr 15, Carol watts (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have always cut the leaves just above the ground, very successful for years. My community garden gurus tell us to break them off. I feel this bruises and tears the remaining stalk and encourages rot. Who is right please?
Reply or Post a new comment
22 Nov 14, Bec (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I planted my silverbeet seedlings a couple of months ago, they are starting to flower, if I cut off flowers, will they keep going
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 71 - 80 of 187 comments
See comments for all plants

Will silverbeet grow in the tropics (Darwin)? If so, what time of year? Thank you.

- Barbara Conje

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.