Silverbeet

Beta vulgaris

Silverbeet is a productive and versatile leafy green that performs beautifully as both a microgreen and baby leaf crop. Young plants produce tender green leaves with crisp stems and a mild, earthy flavour, providing an earlier and more delicate alternative to harvesting mature silverbeet.

The young leaves are excellent fresh in salads, sandwiches and wraps, while larger baby leaves can be lightly steamed, sautéed or added to soups, pasta, curries and egg dishes. Their tender texture and mild flavour also make them an excellent addition to mixed baby leaf blends.

Silverbeet belongs to the same species as beetroot, Beta vulgaris, but has been selected over generations for abundant foliage and substantial stems rather than swollen roots. Nutritious, productive and easy to grow, it can be harvested at several stages for a continual supply of fresh greens.

Approximately 60 seeds per gram

Microgreens & Baby Leaf Production: Year round Australia-wide

Tropics: Year round
Subtropics: Year round
Mild climates: Year round
Cold climates: Year round in a protected position

Planting / Sowing

For microgreens, sow seed densely over a moist growing medium and cover lightly with fine seed-raising mix. Silverbeet seed is naturally contained within small corky seed clusters, which can produce more than one seedling. Soaking seed for a few hours before sowing may help encourage faster, more even germination.

For baby leaf production, sow more thinly in trays, containers or garden beds. Harvest leaves when approximately 8–15 cm tall, cutting above the growing point where possible to encourage further growth and repeated harvests.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Beta vulgaris

Witerbi Silverbeet produces attractive dark green, lightly savoyed leaves with broad white stems and a mild, earthy flavour. Harvested young as microgreens or baby leaves, it adds colour, texture and nutrition to salads, sandwiches, wraps and cooked dishes. Quick to establish and easy to grow, it can also be left to mature for bunching or continual cut-and-come-again harvests.

Approximately 70 seeds per gram

When to Plant (Australia)

Tropics: April to August
Subtropics: March to September
Mild climates: February to October
Cold climates: Spring to early autumn

Planting / Sowing

For microgreens, sow seed densely over a shallow tray of quality seed-raising mix and cover lightly with a thin layer of growing medium. Keep evenly moist and harvest with scissors in 10–16 days. For baby leaf production, sow a little more thinly and harvest young leaves from around 20–30 days. Mature plants can be spaced 25–30 cm apart for ongoing bunching harvests.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Beta vulgaris

Bright Lights is a colourful silverbeet producing green and bronze leaves with stems in an extraordinary mix of yellow, gold, orange, pink, red and white. The flavour is mild and tender, particularly when harvested young, although it is slightly less cold tolerant than more traditional silverbeet varieties.

Bred in New Zealand, Bright Lights was selected for its remarkable stem colours while retaining the productive, edible qualities of silverbeet. Both the leaves and stems can be eaten, with young leaves excellent in salads and larger leaves and stalks suited to steaming, sautéing, soups, pies and other cooked dishes.

Silverbeet has been cultivated around the Mediterranean since ancient times and is grown for its leaves and fleshy stalks rather than its root. Bright Lights performs best in cooler conditions and fertile, well-drained soil with a pH above 6.0.

Seed count: approximately 50–60 seeds per gram.

Approximately 50 seeds per packet.

When to Plant (Australia)

Tropics: March–August
Subtropics: February–October
Mild climates: February–November
Cold climates: August–April

Planting / Sowing

Sow directly or raise seedlings for transplanting, approximately 1–2 cm deep. Space plants around 25–30 cm apart with 40–50 cm between rows. Keep well watered, particularly during hot or dry conditions.

Harvest individual outer leaves as required, leaving the central growing point intact for continued production. For baby leaf, sow more densely and harvest young.

Maturity: approximately 28 days for baby leaf and 55 days for full-sized plants.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Beta vulgaris

Eldorado is an attractive golden-stemmed silverbeet with dark green, slightly savoyed leaves and vivid yellow petioles that hold their colour well when cooked. The stems remain firm yet tender, while the leaves have the mild, earthy flavour characteristic of chard.

A vigorous and productive variety with good resistance to bolting, Eldorado provides a long harvest period and can be grown for either baby leaf or mature stems and leaves. Both are excellent steamed, sautéed or added to soups, pies, pasta and vegetable dishes.

Silverbeet has been cultivated around the Mediterranean since ancient times and is remarkably adaptable, growing across a wide range of climates and soils. It performs particularly well in fertile, well-drained soil with a pH above 6.0 and regular moisture.

Seed count: approximately 50–60 seeds per gram.

Approximately 120 seeds per packet.

When to Plant (Australia)

Tropics: March–August
Subtropics: February–October
Mild climates: February–November
Cold climates: August–April

Planting / Sowing

Sow directly or raise seedlings for transplanting, approximately 1–2 cm deep. Space plants around 25–30 cm apart with 40–50 cm between rows. Keep well watered, particularly during hot or dry conditions.

Harvest individual outer leaves as required, leaving the central growing point intact for continued production. For baby leaf production, sow more densely and harvest young.

Maturity: approximately 28–33 days for baby leaf.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla

Erbette is a traditional European silverbeet grown for its tender pale green leaves and slender stems. With its fine ribs, delicate texture and excellent flavour, it is prized as a versatile leafy green that can be harvested young for salads or allowed to mature for cooking. The leaves are delicious steamed, sautéed, added to soups, pasta dishes and quiches, while regular picking encourages continuous production over many months.

Approximately 50–70 seeds per gram
Approximately 65 seeds per packet

When to Plant (Australia)

Tropics: April to August
Subtropics: March to September
Mild climates: February to November
Cold climates: Spring to autumn

Planting / Sowing

Sow seed 15–20 mm deep in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Keep the soil evenly moist during germination. Thin seedlings to 25–30 cm apart to allow plants to develop fully. Begin harvesting outer leaves when they are young and tender, allowing the centre of the plant to continue producing for an extended harvest.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla

Erbette is a traditional European silverbeet grown for its tender pale green leaves and slender stems. With its fine ribs, delicate texture and excellent flavour, it is prized as a versatile leafy green that can be harvested young for salads or allowed to mature for cooking. The leaves are delicious steamed, sautéed, added to soups, pasta dishes and quiches, while regular picking encourages continuous production over many months.

Approximately 50–70 seeds per gram
Approximately 65 seeds per packet

When to Plant (Australia)

Tropics: April to August
Subtropics: March to September
Mild climates: February to November
Cold climates: Spring to autumn

Planting / Sowing

Sow seed 15–20 mm deep in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Keep the soil evenly moist during germination. Thin seedlings to 25–30 cm apart to allow plants to develop fully. Begin harvesting outer leaves when they are young and tender, allowing the centre of the plant to continue producing for an extended harvest.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Beta vulgaris

Fordhook Giant is a classic silverbeet producing large, deeply crinkled dark green leaves up to 60 cm long with broad, thick white stalks. Vigorous and highly productive, it is valued for its tender texture and fine, mild flavour.

An old and enduringly popular variety, Fordhook Giant was introduced by the American seed company W. Atlee Burpee in the early 20th century and takes its name from the company’s Fordhook Farm in Pennsylvania. Its substantial leaves and stems are excellent steamed, sautéed, braised or added to soups, pies and other cooked dishes.

Plants tolerate light frost and provide an extended harvest when the outer leaves are picked regularly. Silverbeet performs best in fertile, well-drained soil with a pH above 6.0 and consistent moisture.

Seed count: approximately 50–60 seeds per gram.

Approximately 140 seeds per packet.

When to Plant (Australia)

Tropics: March–August
Subtropics: February–October
Mild climates: February–November
Cold climates: August–April

Planting / Sowing

Sow directly or raise seedlings for transplanting, approximately 1–2 cm deep. Space plants around 25–30 cm apart with 40–50 cm between rows. Keep well watered, particularly during hot or dry conditions.

Harvest individual outer leaves as required, leaving the central growing point intact for continued production. For baby leaf production, sow more densely and harvest young.

Maturity: approximately 50–60 days.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Beta vulgaris

Golden Sunrise is an attractive silverbeet with glossy, medium-green leaves that are lightly crumpled and carried on brilliant golden-yellow stems. The colour is particularly vivid when plants are young, making it an excellent variety for colourful baby leaf mixes as well as full-sized harvests.

The tender young leaves have a mild flavour and can be eaten fresh, while mature leaves and golden stems are excellent steamed, sautéed or added to soups, pies and vegetable dishes. Regular harvesting of the outer leaves encourages continued production.

Silverbeet has been cultivated around the Mediterranean since ancient times and performs best in fertile, well-drained soil with a pH above 6.0. It prefers cooler growing conditions and consistent moisture.

Seed count: approximately 50–60 seeds per gram.

Approximately 120 seeds per packet.

When to Plant (Australia)

Tropics: March–August
Subtropics: February–October
Mild climates: February–November
Cold climates: August–April

Planting / Sowing

Sow directly or raise seedlings for transplanting, approximately 1–2 cm deep. Space plants around 25–30 cm apart with 40–50 cm between rows. Keep well watered, particularly during hot or dry conditions.

Harvest individual outer leaves as required, leaving the central growing point intact for continued production. For baby leaf production, sow more densely and harvest young.

Maturity: approximately 28–33 days for baby leaf.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla

Lucullus is a productive heirloom silverbeet renowned for its large, crumpled light green leaves and broad white stems. Highly regarded for its fine flavour and tender texture, it is an excellent all-purpose leafy vegetable for steaming, sautéing, soups, quiches and pasta dishes. This vigorous variety is heavy yielding and performs particularly well in warmer weather, providing a long harvest season when outer leaves are picked regularly.

Approximately 50–70 seeds per gram
Approximately 50 seeds per packet

When to Plant (Australia)

Tropics: April to August
Subtropics: March to September
Mild climates: February to November
Cold climates: Spring to autumn

Planting / Sowing

Sow seed 15–20 mm deep in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Keep the soil evenly moist during germination. Thin seedlings to 25–30 cm apart to allow plants to develop into full-sized clumps. Harvest the outer leaves as required from approximately 45–60 days, leaving the centre intact to encourage continuous production.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla

Lucullus is a productive heirloom silverbeet renowned for its large, crumpled light green leaves and broad white stems. Highly regarded for its fine flavour and tender texture, it is an excellent all-purpose leafy vegetable for steaming, sautéing, soups, quiches and pasta dishes. This vigorous variety is heavy yielding and performs particularly well in warmer weather, providing a long harvest season when outer leaves are picked regularly.

Approximately 50–70 seeds per gram
Approximately 55 seeds per packet

When to Plant (Australia)

Tropics: April to August
Subtropics: March to September
Mild climates: February to November
Cold climates: Spring to autumn

Planting / Sowing

Sow seed 15–20 mm deep in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Keep the soil evenly moist during germination. Thin seedlings to 25–30 cm apart to allow plants to develop into full-sized clumps. Harvest the outer leaves as required from approximately 45–60 days, leaving the centre intact to encourage continuous production.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Beta vulgaris

Magenta Mix is a colourful silverbeet distinguished by vivid magenta to pink stems and strongly coloured veins running through its green leaves. The intensity and shade of the magenta colouring can vary with the season, climate and growing conditions, giving plants a naturally varied appearance.

Tender young leaves are excellent in salads and baby leaf mixes, while mature leaves and stems can be steamed, sautéed or used in soups, pies and vegetable dishes. The striking stems also make an attractive edible garnish.

Slow to bolt and productive over a long harvest period, Magenta Mix performs best in fertile, well-drained soil with consistent moisture. Silverbeet has been cultivated around the Mediterranean since ancient times and generally prefers cooler growing conditions.

Seed count: approximately 50–60 seeds per gram. Approximately 50 seeds per packet.

When to Plant (Australia)

Tropics: March–August
Subtropics: February–October
Mild climates: February–November
Cold climates: August–April

Planting / Sowing

Sow directly or raise seedlings for transplanting, approximately 1–2 cm deep. Space plants around 25–30 cm apart with 40–50 cm between rows. Keep well watered, particularly during hot or dry conditions.

Harvest individual outer leaves as required, leaving the central growing point intact for continued production. For baby leaf production, sow more densely and harvest young.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Beta vulgaris

Vibrant orange stems and leaf veins contrast with lustrous dark green crumpled leaves. Medium sized to 45cm tall, highly productive, cut and come again. Excellent as microgreen and young leaves in salads. 60 days.

Known in the Mediterranean region in ancient times. Sometimes called Spinach or chard. Likes soil pH above 6.0 Sow anytime outside frost, cool weather is preferred for growing, and plants suffer in hot dry times.

Approx. 50-60 seeds per gram
Approx. 60 seeds per packet

When To Plant In Australia
Tropics:    Feb-Sep
Subtropic:    Any
Mild:    Sep-May
Cold/Frost:    Sep-Mar

Seed Sowing
Plant space cm:    15-30
Row space cm:    50-60
Depth cm:    1-1.5
Best soil temp:    10-30 °C

Other Info
Number of seeds per gram:    50-60
Rate per hectare:    8-20kg
Average days to maturity:    50-85

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla

Oriole Orange is a vibrant heirloom silverbeet with brilliant orange-yellow stems and leaf veins that stand out against lustrous, dark green crumpled leaves. Growing to around 45 cm tall, this medium-sized variety is highly productive and perfect for both ornamental and productive kitchen gardens. The colourful leaves can be harvested as microgreens, baby leaves for salads, or allowed to mature for use in stir-fries, soups, pasta dishes and steaming. Its vigorous cut-and-come-again habit provides a continuous harvest over many months.

Approximately 50–70 seeds per gram
Approximately 40 seeds per packet

When to Plant (Australia)

Tropics: April to August
Subtropics: March to September
Mild climates: February to November
Cold climates: Spring to autumn

Planting / Sowing

Sow seed 15–20 mm deep in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Keep the soil evenly moist during germination. Thin seedlings to 25–30 cm apart for mature plants, or sow more densely when growing for baby leaf or microgreen production. Harvest baby leaves as required, or begin picking mature outer leaves from approximately 60 days. Regular harvesting encourages fresh, continuous growth.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla

Rainbow Chard is a colourful blend of silverbeet featuring vibrant white, yellow, orange, pink and red stems beneath glossy, dark green crumpled leaves. Both attractive and highly nutritious, it brings outstanding colour to the vegetable garden and the kitchen alike. The tender young leaves are excellent in salads, while mature leaves and stems are delicious steamed, sautéed, added to soups, stir-fries and pasta dishes. This productive cut-and-come-again variety provides continuous harvests over many months.

Approximately 50–70 seeds per gram
Approximately 40 seeds per packet

When to Plant (Australia)

Tropics: April to August
Subtropics: March to September
Mild climates: February to November
Cold climates: Spring to autumn

Planting / Sowing

Sow seed 15–20 mm deep in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Keep the soil evenly moist during germination. Thin seedlings to 25–30 cm apart for mature plants, or sow more densely when growing for baby leaf production. Harvest young leaves for salads or pick the outer mature leaves regularly to encourage continuous fresh growth.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla

Rainbow Chard is a colourful blend of silverbeet featuring vibrant white, yellow, orange, pink and red stems beneath glossy, dark green crumpled leaves. Both attractive and highly nutritious, it brings outstanding colour to the vegetable garden and the kitchen alike. The tender young leaves are excellent in salads, while mature leaves and stems are delicious steamed, sautéed, added to soups, stir-fries and pasta dishes. This productive cut-and-come-again variety provides continuous harvests over many months.

Approximately 50–70 seeds per gram
Approximately 60 seeds per packet

When to Plant (Australia)

Tropics: April to August
Subtropics: March to September
Mild climates: February to November
Cold climates: Spring to autumn

Planting / Sowing

Sow seed 15–20 mm deep in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Keep the soil evenly moist during germination. Thin seedlings to 25–30 cm apart for mature plants, or sow more densely when growing for baby leaf production. Harvest young leaves for salads or pick the outer mature leaves regularly to encourage continuous fresh growth.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla

White Silver is a classic heirloom silverbeet producing broad, chunky white stems and glossy green leaves with an excellent, mild flavour. Growing to around 50 cm tall, this reliable variety is both productive and attractive, making it ideal for kitchen gardens. The tender leaves are delicious steamed, sautéed, added to soups, quiches and pasta dishes, while the thick white stems can be cooked much like celery or asparagus. Regular harvesting encourages continuous new growth throughout the season.

Approximately 50–70 seeds per gram
Approximately 40 seeds per packet

When to Plant (Australia)

Tropics: April to August
Subtropics: March to September
Mild climates: February to November
Cold climates: Spring to autumn

Planting / Sowing

Sow seed 15–20 mm deep in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Keep the soil evenly moist during germination. Thin seedlings to 25–30 cm apart to allow plants to develop into large, productive clumps. Harvest the outer leaves as required, leaving the centre intact for continuous production over many months.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.