Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla
Spinach Beet
Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla.
Plant photos
2 photos · Select to enlarge
Leaves of Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla.
Dietmar Rabich / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo details
Resized and converted to WebP. No content edits.
Source: File:Münster, Botanischer Garten, Mangold -- 2019 -- 7369.jpg
Reviewed . Source identification, photograph and license reviewed. The image illustrates the named plant; it does not verify dimensions or other plant traits.
Leaves of Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla.
Dietmar Rabich / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo details
Resized and converted to WebP. No content edits.
Source: File:Münster, Botanischer Garten, Mangold -- 2019 -- 7371.jpg
Reviewed . Source identification, photograph and license reviewed. The image illustrates the named plant; it does not verify dimensions or other plant traits.
Common names
3 names · 3 languages- EnglishYour language
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- Spinach Beet
Other languages (2)
- Dutch
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- Snijbiet
- French
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- Bette à carde
Sources & name notes
Names recorded in our plant catalogue, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.
General information
This record describes spinach beet (cicla). The accepted subspecies also covers other beet crops and wild material.
Sources [1]Plant characteristics
Growing conditions
Moist
Sand (light) Loam (medium) Clay (heavy)
Acidic Neutral Alkaline
Full sun
Uses
Leaves, Stem
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
Sources and references
References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.
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Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
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.