--- title: "How to Grow Swiss Chard—and How to Enjoy Your Harvest" description: "Easy for novices to grow and versatile in the kitchen, Swiss chard grows best in cooler weather and matures in about 2 months. What are you waiting for?" date: "2026-08-26" modified: "2026-08-26" authors: - name: "Teresa Odle" job_title: "Contributing Writer & Editor" link: "https://www.bobvila.com/authors/teresa-odle/" url: "https://www.bobvila.com/lawn-and-garden/how-to-grow-swiss-chard/" categories: - "Gardening" - "Lawn & Garden" tags: - "gardening" - "News" --- # How to Grow Swiss Chard—and How to Enjoy Your Harvest ![A close up of a row of tall swiss chard growing in the ground.]() *Photo: Victoria\_Hunter via Adobe Stock* Swiss chard is an unsung garden hero, one you can sow or transplant as summer ends and again in early spring. Farmer Lee Jones of [The Chef’s Garden](), a regenerative vegetable farm in Huron, Ohio, is surprised that chard never became as trendy as kale or as popular as spinach. In addition to being easy to grow, Swiss chard has colorful stems and nutritional value comparable to other greens. “In addition to being rich in vitamins A, B, C, E, and K, it contains many beneficial minerals,” says Jones. And the attractive chard stems “bring in additional antioxidants,” he adds. Swiss chard’s culinary uses rival those of spinach; young leaves are tender enough to eat raw, and Jones has noted baby chard appearing in salad mixes. It’s also excellent sautéed, or tossed into soups, stews, and sauces. Since Swiss chard is easy and inexpensive to grow from seed, it’s a great starter plant or addition to any home garden. Here's what to know about growing Swiss chard, and when to get seeds in the ground for a fall crop. ## Growing Swiss Chard at a Glance **Common Name**: Swiss chard **Scientific Name**: *Beta vulgaris var. cicla* **Hardiness Zone**: 2 to 11 (as an annual) **Soil**: Fertile, well-draining, pH 6.0 to 7.0 **Light**: Full sun to partial shade **Water**: Regular, moist soil **Food**: Organic amendments or slow-release fertilizer **Propagation**: Seeds or transplants **Safety**: Safe when stored properly, contains oxalates ## Swiss Chard Characteristics ![A gardener is plucking leaves Swiss Chard from a vegetable garden.]() *Photo: Vanchuree via Adobe Stock* Although Swiss chard (*Beta vulgaris* var. *cicla*) is eaten like other leafy greens, it is very different, says Kate Schneider, founder and CEO of [Ibis Coastal Landscapes]() in Savannah, Georgia. “In fact, it’s not a lettuce at all—it’s a close relative of the beet without the edible root,” she says. Schneider notes that chard is more nutrient-dense than romaine lettuce, and varies in texture and flavor. “The stems are mildly sweet with a subtle artichoke-like flavor, while the leaves have a texture somewhere between spinach and kale,” she adds. Swiss chard leaves are crinkly and deep green like spinach, and some varieties have colorful ribbing. As a garden or container plant, Swiss chard stands out from other edibles for its rainbow of bright stem colors; it’s said to have grown in the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Chard’s leafy greens rise on pink, red, or yellow stems, says Lindsey Boney, produce expert at [Windmill Farms Market]() in San Diego, California. “This works especially well in edible landscapes where gardeners want productive and aesthetic plants,” says Boney. Jones adds that gardeners can feel free to consider aesthetics when choosing a Swiss chard variety to grow, since “the flavors of different varieties of chard are so similar.” ## Recommended Swiss Chard Varieties ![A row of harvested swiss chard of different colored stems. ]() *Photo: Windsor via Adobe Stock* If you’re a [novice vegetable gardener](), it makes sense to start with an easy-to-grow variety, though no chards are overly picky or troublesome. “For me, the best type generally depends on whether the gardener’s main goal is cooking, appearance, or a mix of both,” says Boney. **Bright Lights**: This award-winning cultivar of rainbow Swiss chard boasts pink, red, white, and golden-yellow stems and a sweet, mild flavor; it’s also a good first-time chard to grow. **Five Color Silverbeet**: The Australian mix of heirlooms is a rainbow chard with a variety of stalk colors in each pack, including orange, yellow, pink, white, and red, that produces baby greens in as few as 20 days. **Fordhook Giant**: Jones and Schneider recommend this 20th-century heirloom with thick white stalks and dark green, heavily crinkled leaves that offers vigorous growth and high yields. **Orange Fantasia**: Vividly orange stems and veins can add pumpkin color to a fall garden and produce baby leaves or mature crinkly leaves for cooking. **Perpetual**: Jones suggests this old European variety with smooth, dark green leaves that “resemble spinach more than chard” and continue to appear for months, leading to its common name. **Rhubarb**: Deep crimson stems and veins in dark green leaves make this Swiss chard (not to be confused with actual rhubarb) prized for its flavor and ornamental beauty, Schneider says. **Silverado**: A compact variety of Swiss chard, Silverado is “ideal for raised beds and containers,” Schneider says, and its glossy green leaves and broad white stems add visual interest. ## Planting Swiss Chard ![Planting colorful Chards in the vegetable garden.]() *Photo: saratm via Adobe Stock* All types of Swiss chard share similar water, sun, and soil requirements, along with a preference for cool temperatures, though it can [tolerate heat](). Growing Swiss chard from seed is easy, and the plant is tougher than it appears, since it can handle some heat, humidity, and short spells of drought. Most varieties mature in 50 to 65 days. ### When is the best time to plant Swiss chard? “Spring and fall are the two perfect seasons to grow Swiss chard because it grows best in cool seasons,” says Boney. You can sow seeds in late summer or early fall about a month before your region’s average first frost date, or in early spring about a month before the average last frost date. “The best planting time for Swiss chard depends on your climate and whether you’re growing it from seed or transplants,” says Schneider. Knowing when to plant Swiss chard in your growing zone helps time indoor seed starting. Plant the seeds indoors about 4 weeks before your expected last frost in spring or in June to July for a [fall garden](). It’s best not to set transplants out before the last spring frost. And if transplanting in late summer, try to choose an overcast day for transplanting the starts outdoors. ### Where can Swiss chard grow? According to Boney, “Swiss chard does equally well in a garden bed or container with an abundance of sunlight, good soil, and moisture.” Growing Swiss chard in containers near your home is convenient and allows you to enjoy the attractive foliage. For more yield, grow it in garden beds, which allow larger root systems and, in turn, more leaves throughout the growing season, Boney says. Whether you opt for a raised bed, garden bed, or container, make sure the soil has plenty of organic matter and drains well. Although Swiss chard plants do fine with a little shade (especially in the afternoon), they need at least 2 to 6 hours of full sun exposure per day. ### How do you plant Swiss chard? Sow Swiss chard seed directly in the ground when soil temperatures are at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit in spring or when air temperatures approach 80 degrees or less in late summer or early fall. Set transplants out about 4 weeks after starting indoors and before the expected last frost date. When determining Swiss chard spacing, consider whether you will prefer baby greens or larger leaves; place them slightly closer together for smaller plants and leaves. 1. To sow Swiss chard from seeds, make sure spring ground is workable and loosen spring or late summer soil to nearly 8 inches deep before leveling the top of the soil. 2. Place seeds in the ground ¼ to ½ inch deep and cover with soil, pressing it lightly. Space rows at least 18 inches apart and seeds about 2 inches apart. 3. Water the seeds carefully and add a floating row cover over them if you’d like to protect them from colder nighttime temperatures and insects that attack young seedlings. 4. Keep the soil evenly moist. 5. Thin 2- to 4-inch tall seedlings so that young Swiss chard plants are about 4 inches apart, adjusting spacing per seed packet instructions and desire for baby or mature greens. 6. Remove the row cover as temperatures warm and plants grow. Continue sowing seeds every 1 to 2 weeks for a continuous crop until outdoor temperatures reach higher than 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If transplanting Swiss chard, harden off indoor starts by reducing their water and temperature gradually for a few days before transplanting. Place young plants about 4 to 6 inches apart and in rows at least 18 inches apart. ### Can you grow Swiss chard in containers? Growing Swiss chard in containers works well where you have little space for beds. As long as a container has rich, well-draining soil, it can support Swiss chard. Since the plant is both edible and attractive, it is a good patio container option. As containers will not hold as many plants as garden beds, you can choose to crowd them a little more and harvest baby leaves. ## Watering Swiss Chard In garden beds, Swiss chard needs regular watering at a rate of about 1 to 2 inches per week. Although the plants can survive some drought, they will cease to grow when low in moisture. Watering frequency depends on how quickly the soil dries; Swiss chard in sandy soil will need more frequent watering than in soil with organic matter. Hotter temperatures and high winds can dry soil more quickly. Add a layer of mulch over the soil to help retain moisture. Pots dry out more quickly than garden beds, so be sure to check and water the containers regularly to give the plants consistent moisture. Water seeds often but gently to avoid displacing seeds. ## Fertilizing Swiss Chard Swiss chard often needs no fertilizer as long as the soil is rich in organic matter. You can add a balanced organic fertilizer when transplanting, generally with a 5-4-2 ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. You also can side-dress Swiss chard with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer about 4 weeks after thinning or transplanting to encourage leaf growth. ## Pollination Gardeners do not need to worry about pollination, since Swiss chard leaves are harvested before bolting and forming flowers. Once flowers are set, the plant can be pollinated by wind. Avoid planting beets and Swiss chard near one another, since they can cross-pollinate if flowers form. ## Pruning Swiss Chard There is no need to prune Swiss chard, though you can take off damaged leaves. Remove leaves as needed for eating, and thin young seedlings to avoid overcrowding. ## Propagating Swiss Chard Propagating Swiss chard is typically more work than starting the plant from seed each year, because growing it from seeds is easy and inexpensive, and seeds have an average germination rate of up to 75 percent. Even if plants remain in the ground long enough to flower and pollinate, it is best to start with new seeds the next season, since all beets and chards can easily cross-pollinate and the seeds will not be pure. ## Safety Considerations Swiss chard is a safe plant to grow for people and pets. Although the leaves are highly nutritious, eating too many too often could interfere with the effectiveness of blood thinners for those who take them. Swiss chard contains oxalates, which can increase kidney stone risk in some people if they consume too much of the plant. As a leafy green, Swiss chard can be eaten raw and is highly perishable. It requires cool storage and thorough washing in cold water to remove possible pathogens. ## Potential Pests and Diseases [Fast-growing vegetables]() like Swiss chard are usually not subject to many pests or diseases. [Aphids]() can feed on the underside of leaves; watch for excessive leaf curling or crinkling. Slugs and snails can chew holes in the leaves, and the small black flea beetle could damage young seedlings. [Cutworms]() also can cut baby plants off at their base. Floating row covers can help protect new plants. Rarely, Swiss chard plants develop *Cercospora* leaf spot, which will stunt growth and cause purplish spots on leaves. Prevent this and other fungal diseases, such as downy mildew, by spacing plants far enough apart for adequate airflow and by watering at the ground level near the base of plants rather than overhead. Rotate the location of Swiss chard from year to year to help lower the risk of pest or disease problems, and consider companion plants for Swiss chard. Aromatic herbs such as thyme and sage or strong-scented onions can confuse pests to keep them away. Beans and legumes help fix nitrogen in the soil, which supports leafy growth. Keep your Swiss chard bed free of weeds, since the plant does not compete well with weeds. ## Harvesting Swiss Chard ![A woman holding harvested swiss chard leaves from her own garden.]() *Photo: epiximages via Adobe Stock* Swiss chard can produce new leaves continuously while temperature and other conditions are optimal, and each plant can provide multiple harvests. Select outer leaves to keep the center free for new growth. Alternatively, you can harvest an entire bunch at once by cutting all leaves off 2 to 3 inches above the soil so they can regrow later. ### When is the best time to harvest Swiss chard? Most Swiss chard plants mature in 55 to 65 days. You can begin to harvest some leaves as soon as the plant is well established (after about 30 days). Harvesting can continue for months as newer leaves fill the plant’s center. Once the plant bolts (forms flowers), the leaves will turn bitter, but that typically occurs only in a plant’s second year. If you notice some plants bolting, harvest all remaining plants of the same size and preserve leaves for future cooking through canning, drying, or freezing. ### How do you harvest Swiss chard? Part of knowing how to harvest Swiss chard involves choosing the right time of day. Remove the leaves early in the morning if possible, since they can wilt easily if harvested in heat or full sun. If harvesting to eat fresh in salads, select smaller or baby greens. 1. Look for outer leaves that are deep green on crisp stalks and free of browning or yellowing. 2. Leaves at least 3 inches long but still young will be the tastiest. 3. Cut or gently pinch leaves at the base of their stems (about 1 inch above soil level). 4. When removing outer leaves, let at least four or five inner leaves remain on the plant. 5. Wait until plants regrow to a height of about 6 inches before harvesting from them again. ### How do you store Swiss chard? Store harvested leaves in a refrigerator at a temperature below 41 degrees Fahrenheit. The leaves store better unwashed, so be certain to wash them thoroughly when ready to prepare them. It is best to eat raw Swiss chard within 2 to 3 days of harvest, though the leaves can last 5 to 7 days under the right conditions. It is best to store the greens away from apples, pears, plums, and tropical fruits. ### How do you overwinter Swiss chard? The season for growing Swiss chard can be extended past early frost. Some varieties can survive temperatures as cold as 15 degrees Fahrenheit. Cover the plants with fabric row cover or a cold frame to protect the leaves from cold and continue harvesting until plants fade or bolt. Most gardeners grow Swiss chard as an annual, but it is technically a biennial, which means it can produce edible leaves a second year before dying back. The plants will require at least 10 weeks of temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit to reproduce. If you would like to overwinter Swiss chard, time your last planting in late summer or early fall so that the plants are still relatively young when winter begins; the young plants are more cold-hardy than older ones. *Looking for more cool-season vegetables to grow? Check out our guides on growing* [*spinach*]()*,* [*kale*]()*, and* [*radishes*]()*.* ## Author Teresa Odle is a writer and editor who has lived and gardened throughout the mountains of arid New Mexico. She joined the BobVila.com team as a freelancer in March 2020, editing and writing helpful articles mostly on gardening and outdoor living.