Also known as Beet · Beetroot · Common Beet
Sea beet (Beta vulgaris) is a wild ancestor of cultivated beets and chard, thriving on coastal cliffs and shingle beaches, offering edible leaves and a hardy, salt-tolera
At-a-glance light, water, soil, and growing conditions from plant data
Full Sun to Partial Shade
75% intensity
Prefers at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
Consistent Moisture
50% intensity
Keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged.
Sandy, Well-drained, Clay, Loam
50% intensity
Cool to Moderate
50% intensity
Thrives in temperatures between 15-24°C. Can tolerate cooler conditions.
Light Feeder
25% intensity
Apply balanced organic fertilizer sparingly in spring.
Safety information from plant toxicity data
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Toxic for humans | No 0/5 intensity |
| Toxic for pets | No 0/5 intensity |
| Edible | Yes |
Non-toxic
Key traits and growing stats from plant data
Watering, pruning, propagation, and repotting details from plant data
Sea beet thrives in consistently moist soil, but avoid waterlogging. Water deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry, especially during hot, dry periods. Reduce watering in cooler months to prevent root rot.
Ensure good drainage to maintain plant health.
Harvest outer leaves regularly to encourage continuous growth. This also serves as a form of pruning. Remove any yellowing or damaged leaves promptly to maintain plant vigor and prevent disease.
No drastic pruning is typically required.
Sea beet can be grown from seeds sown directly outdoors in spring or autumn. Seeds germinate best in cool soil. It can also be propagated by division of established clumps, best done in spring.
Sea beet is typically grown as an annual or biennial and is usually direct-sown or transplanted as a seedling. Established plants in the ground rarely need repotting.
If grown in containers, repot young plants into larger pots as needed during their first year.
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Monthly activity intensity for bloom and fruit across both hemispheres.
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Photos of Sea Beet (Beta vulgaris)
8 known issues from plant disease data
Cercospora leaf spot on Beet causes small tan to gray leaf spots with dark reddish borders that merge, yellow leaves, and early blighting.
Rhizoctonia crown and root rot in Beet darkens petioles and crown, causes dry brown root rot with cracks, and leaves plants wilted or dying.
Aphanomyces root rot in Beet causes water-soaked root decay, dull wilted foliage, stunting, and dark brown to black root lesions.
Beet curly top in Beet dwarfs plants, curls and puckers young leaves, thickens veins, and often leaves roots small and hairy.
Downy mildew on Beet causes large light green leaf patches with white to gray mold, then leaves wilt, die, and crown growth is affected.
Fusarium yellows in Beet starts with yellowing between veins on older leaves, then browns foliage, stunts plants, and discolors roots inside.
Common names and botanical synonyms
Botanical classification
| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Division | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Caryophyllales |
| Family | Amaranthaceae |
| Genus | Beta |
| Species | Beta vulgaris |
Similar in genus Beta
Answers based on plant encyclopedia data
