How to Grow Swiss Chard

Beginner-Friendly

Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris

A colorful, heat-tolerant green related to beets. Cut-and-come-again harvesting provides months of leaves.

Last updated: June 2026

Days to Maturity
50–60 days
typical
Per Square Foot
4
Plant Spacing
15 cm / 6"
Sun
4+ hours
Water
1.0" / 25 mm
Fertilization
moderate feeder

Growing Notes

Direct sow 2–4 weeks before last frost. More heat-tolerant than spinach. Harvest outer leaves.

Varieties & Cultivars

7 cultivars in our database. Click any card to see growing details.

Bush type with orange-red stems

(1)
Achilles
45–55 days Open-Pollinated

good for containers; tender leaves; ornamental appearance

Height
6–12" (15–30 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
1.4 oz (40 g)
Support
none
Harvest
cut-and-come-again
USDA Zones
3–10
Seed saving
easy
Seed viability
4 years

Deep crimson stalks and veins

(1)
Ruby Red
55–60 days Open-Pollinated

very ornamental

Height
18–24" (46–61 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
1.4 oz (40 g)
Support
none
Harvest
cut-and-come-again
USDA Zones
3–10
Seed saving
easy
Seed viability
4 years

German heirloom

(1)
Forellenschluss
50–60 days Open-Pollinated

also called Troutback; mild flavour; attractive ornamental leaves

Height
6–12" (15–30 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
1.6 oz (45 g)
Support
none
Harvest
cut-and-come-again
USDA Zones
3–10
Seed saving
easy
Seed viability
4 years

Heirloom

(2)
Fordhook Giant
55–65 days Open-Pollinated

white stems; sweet flavour; high yielding

Height
24–30" (60–76 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
1.4 oz (40 g)
Support
none
Harvest
cut-and-come-again
USDA Zones
3–10
Seed saving
easy
Seed viability
4 years
Lucullus
45–55 days Open-Pollinated

performs well in hot climates; light green leaves

Height
18–20" (46–51 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
1.4 oz (40 g)
Support
none
Harvest
cut-and-come-again
USDA Zones
3–10
Seed saving
easy
Seed viability
4 years

Heirloom since 1857

(1)
Rhubarb
55–65 days Open-Pollinated

dark green crumpled leaves; vigorous and cold hardy

Height
24–30" (60–76 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
1.4 oz (40 g)
Support
none
Harvest
cut-and-come-again
USDA Zones
3–10
Seed saving
easy
Seed viability
4 years

Multicoloured stems from gold to pink to red

(1)
Bright Lights
55–60 days Open-Pollinated

AAS winner

Height
18–20" (46–51 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
1.4 oz (40 g)
Support
none
Harvest
cut-and-come-again
USDA Zones
3–10
Seed saving
easy
Seed viability
4 years

Companion Planting

What to grow alongside swiss chard, and what to keep apart.

Plant With

Onion : Onion scent deters pests from chard
Lettuce : Both greens with complementary growth habits
Cabbage : Complementary root zones and nutrient needs
Beans : Beans fix nitrogen that chard uses
Radish : Radishes loosen soil for chard roots
Garlic : Garlic deters aphids from chard

Keep Apart

Square Foot Spacing

4 per sq ft

6" apart (2×2 grid)

View full spacing chart →

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