Plant Details

Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla

Spinach Beet

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Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla.

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Common names

3 names · 3 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Spinach Beet
Other languages (2)
Dutch
  • Snijbiet
French
  • Bette à carde
Sources & name notes

Names recorded in our plant catalogue, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

General information

Scientific name: Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla
Taxonomic placement (Kew): Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris View name reference ↗

This record describes spinach beet (cicla). The accepted subspecies also covers other beet crops and wild material.

Sources [1]
Botanical family: Amaranthaceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Beta (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: Spinach Beet

Plant characteristics

Layer: Herbaceous, Vegetable
Catalogue size class: Small
Height: 0.90 m
Spread: - m
Growth rate: None
Foliage: None

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 4-8
Soil moisture:
Moist
Soil:
Sand (light) Loam (medium) Clay (heavy)
pH:
Acidic Neutral Alkaline
Light:
Full sun

Uses

Edible parts:
Leaves, Stem
Edibility rating:
(4)
Medicinal rating:
(2)
Functions:
None

Description

Leaves and petioles can be eaten raw or cooked, similar to spinach. They are an excellent alternative to spinach because the large leaves are easy to harvest and yield plenty. However, some people find the raw leaves unpalatable due to an unpleasant aftertaste. The flower stalk can be cooked and serves as an alternative to broccoli.

Harvest

Harvest starts: 01/06
Harvest ends: 30/11

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: TaxonomyBotanical family
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: WCVP version 16, wcvp_names.csv: Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla (L.) Schübl. & G.Martens, name ID 2675619, row 765394; Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris , name ID 3262278, row 687893
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 1326131; name ID 2675545; Beta L.. Family column.

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.