Beetroot
Beta vulgaris
Also called Beets and Red beet
Garden plant · Herbs, veg & fruitEach 'seed' is a cluster of several, so thin them ruthlessly. The leaves are as good as chard.
Care at a glance
- Ease
- Medium
- Water
- Every 3 daysWater the ground — water at the base, in the morning, not over the leaves.
- Light
- Full sun
- Feed
- Every 21 days
- Humidity
- Average
- Hardiness
- Very hardy RHS H7, to -25°C
- Size
- 0.4 m tall · 0.3 m across
- Lifecycle
- Biennial
- Origin
- Mediterranean coast
Is it safe for pets and people?
PetsSafe for pets
Signs: the large, mature leaves contain oxalic acid.
PeopleNothing recorded against it
Large mature leaves (oxalic acid). Safe to eat: root and leaves.
Checked against ASPCA, Johnny's Selected Seeds and Clemson HGIC on 2026-07-31.
A guide, not veterinary or medical advice. If a pet or a person has eaten a plant and you are worried, call your vet or doctor now — don’t wait for signs to appear. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
First signs of trouble
- Pale papery blisters between the veins of the outer leaves, with a small white grub visible inside when the leaf is held to the light.Beet leaf miner · pest
- A flower stem starts up out of the middle of the leaf rosette; the root stops swelling from that moment and goes woody — a cold spell soon after sowing is what sets it off.Bolting · disorder