Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla var. flavescens 'White Silver'

RHS Plant Profile
chard 'White Silver'

Save a plant

Where do you want to save Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla var. flavescens 'White Silver'?

Plants I own
Wishlist
Go to My Plants
Annual Biennial

A classic chard variety which is easy to grow and produces large, glossy, sweet and succulent leaves on thick white stems. It is a staple of the vegetable garden. Harvest it as baby leaf or leave to mature and pick into the New Year

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1 year
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

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

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing or North–facing or East–facing
Exposure
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)
H3

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Amaranthaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
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
Unresolved

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, rich, free draining soil in full sun or partial shade. Sow direct between March and August, 2.5cm deep and 10cm apart or sow indoors in modules and transplant when large enough to handle. See vegetable cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to birds, slugs and snails

Diseases

May be susceptible to grey moulds and downy mildew