Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla var. flavescens rainbow chard
chard 'Rainbow Chard'
A biennial vegetable grown for its edible leaves, and brightly coloured stems in a range of red, yellow and orange shades. Often grown as an annual, but late summer sowings may overwinter to provide leaves in spring, in areas where the soil is not too wet.
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
1 yearUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Red Yellow Orange | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green Red Yellow Orange | Green | ||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H3Botanical details
- Family
- Amaranthaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- 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 fertile soil in an open, sunny site, though it can tolerate some shade in summer. See RHS Grow Your Own guide to chard for more detailed advice
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown outdoors from April to July
Suggested planting locations and garden types
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to birds, that can pull up and eat young seedlings, and to flea beetles
Diseases
May be susceptible to downy mildews and grey moulds
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.