A cool-season root vegetable yielding sweet, earthy red roots and edible nutritious leaves. Reliable and easy from seed, with each knobbly cluster producing several seedlings.
At a glance
- Plant type: Edible plant
- Mature size: 40 cm H × 20 cm W
- Aspect: full sun and part shade or morning sun
- Water: regular, moderate watering
- Frost: hardy
- Maintenance: low maintenance
- Origin: Exotic
About Beetroot
Botanically, Beta vulgaris is a moderate-growing edible plant in the Amaranthaceae family. It reaches around 40 cm tall and 20 cm wide at maturity, with purple-toned foliage.
Where to grow Beetroot
Beetroot suits warm-temperate, cool-temperate and subtropical climates and grows best in full sun and part shade or morning sun. It is frost hardy and shrugs off cold winters.
Soil & planting
Beetroot does best in loamy, free-draining and sandy soil. Dig in plenty of compost before planting, water in well, and mulch to keep roots cool.
Watering & feeding
Beetroot does best with regular, moderate watering. Feed regularly through the growing season for the best crop. During the first growing season, water deeply whenever the upper soil begins to dry, then reduce the frequency as roots establish.
Pruning & care
Tip-prune Beetroot in spring to maintain a dense, shapely habit. Overall it is low maintenance.
Using Beetroot in the garden
Beetroot earns its place for edible harvests.
Companion planting & design
Combine Beetroot with plants that share its preference for regular, moderate watering and warm-temperate climate. Use an odd-numbered group where space allows, or repeat it at intervals through a longer bed.
Good to know
It is regarded as non-toxic and pet-safe.
Buying Beetroot
Plant Sale lists Beetroot as seed. Current stock is confirmed manually, so register interest above before planning around a specific size.
Prefer to grow it yourself? See the Beetroot seed sowing guide for depth, timing and germination.
