Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris

RHS Plant Profile
root beet

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Other common names

beetroot, fodder beet, mangel wurzel, mangold, root of scarcity, sugar beet

Synonyms

Beta rubra hort.
Beta hortensis hort.

Annual Biennial Herbs - Culinary

This is the original plant from which our cultivated beet plants have been selected. It has deep green, fleshy leaves which are edible, as in leaf beet and colourful stems making it extremely ornamental as a foliage plant, as in chard. In some, the root has become swollen like beetroot, sugar beet and fodder beets like mangleworzel. Flowers are inconspicuous pale green granules, produced in vast numbers

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1–2 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H7

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Amaranthaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Habit
Clump forming
Genus
Beta can be annual, biennial or perennial plants, often with rosettes of basal leaves and thick, fleshy roots. The genus includes a range of wild species, as well as cultivated food crops such as beetroot, chard and sugar beet
Name Status
Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in any moist but well-drained soil in good light. Will grow well in coastal locations. For more advice, see beetroot cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to pigeons and slugs and snails

Diseases

May be susceptible to grey moulds and downy mildews