Swiss Chard Varieties: 12 Vibrant Chard Cultivars for Every Garden
These leafy treasures thrive in varied climates and bring crisp nutrition to every dish.
If you love leafy greens that brighten both your garden and your plate, Swiss chard offers an impressive palette of textures and colors. Whether you crave classic green chard or the striking stems of rainbow-hued cultivars, the right variety can elevate your gardening and culinary experiences. Below, discover 12 of the most outstanding Swiss chard varietiesâeach with its unique growth habit, resilience, flavor, and ornamental value.
What Is Swiss Chard?
Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris) is a versatile, nutrient-dense leafy vegetable related to beets. Its crinkled or smooth leaves and crunchy, colorful stalks are edible and rich in vitamins A, C, and K, along with dietary fiber, minerals, and antioxidants. Chard thrives in a range of climates, tolerates some frost, and grows vigorously through spring and fall, often providing a continuous harvest in home gardens.
- Highly adaptable and productive throughout the growing season.
- Comes in traditional white-stemmed and newer rainbow-colored types.
- Both leaves and stems are edibleâuse in sautés, salads, and cooking.
Why Grow Different Swiss Chard Varieties?
There are hundreds of Swiss chard cultivars, ranging from subtle white-ribbed classics to eye-catching neon, gold, and ruby stalks. Each offers different benefits, such as:
- Colorful varieties: Perfect for edible landscaping and ornamental beds.
- Heat-tolerant types: Keep producing even in warm summers.
- Tender-leafed and compact forms: Great for baby greens or container gardens.
- Original green or white forms: Often more vigorous and bolt-resistant.
- Unique textures and flavors: Customize greens for your preferred taste and recipe use.
12 Standout Swiss Chard Varieties
Below is an in-depth look at twelve of the most rewarding chard cultivars, with notes on their appearance, best uses, and growing tips.
âLucullusâ
âLucullusâ is a renowned heirloom variety, admired for crumpled, light green leaves and broad white ribs. Itâs named after a Roman general known for his horticultural passion.
- Height: 20 inches at maturity
- Maturity: 50 days
- Traits: Heavy yielding, excellent in hot weather
- Flavor: Mild, slightly sweet
- Best for: Summer harvests, cooking, and juicing
âBareseâ Swiss Chard
This compact, rare variety produces glossy dark green, flat leaves with pale white-green stems.
- Height: 7-9 inches (best as a baby green)
- Maturity: 50 days
- Traits: Tender, quick to mature, very pest and weather resilient
- Flavor: Delicate and sweet
- Best for: Baby leaf salads, small gardens, and container growing
âFordhook Giantâ
As the name hints, âFordhook Giantâ is a vigorous giant with deep green, savoyed leaves and wide white stems.
What others are reading
- Height: Up to 24 inches
- Maturity: 60 days
- Traits: Heat tolerant, bolt-resistant, heavy producer
- Flavor: Robust, earthy
- Best for: Cooking, juicing, and large home gardens
âPerpetual Spinachâ (a.k.a. âBietola a Costa Fineâ)
Despite its name, âPerpetual Spinachâ is a chard variety beloved for its spinach-like flavor and extended harvests. Originating from Italy, it features smooth bright green leaves and slender pale stems.
- Height: Up to 20 inches
- Maturity: 20-50 days (baby to full size)
- Traits: Slow to bolt, heat tolerant, prolific regrowth
- Flavor: Mild and spinach-like
- Best for: Both baby greens and mature leaves, warmer climates
âBright Lightsâ
Famous for its dazzling multicolored stemsâpink, gold, crimson, orange, whiteââBright Lightsâ is an award-winning rainbow chard and a striking centerpiece in gardens.
- Height: 18-20 inches
- Maturity: 55 days
- Traits: Colorful stems, tender leaves, great for edible landscaping
- Flavor: Mild and sweet
- Best for: Ornamental beds, mixed plantings, kidsâ gardens
âRhubarbâ Chard
Donât be fooled by the nameââRhubarbâ chard isnât related to rhubarb, but shows off deep red stems and dark green leaves with red veins.
- Height: 18-24 inches
- Maturity: 60 days
- Traits: Attractive ruby-red stalks, uniform appearance
- Flavor: Earthy, slightly sweet
- Best for: Cooking, color accent, salads
âRubyâ Chard
This classic red chard is known for its vibrant red stalks and crinkled leaves. Also called âVulcanâ in some seed catalogs.
- Height: Up to 20 inches
- Maturity: 55-60 days
- Traits: Striking red color, mild bitterness
- Flavor: Earthy, slightly astringent
- Best for: Visual appeal, cooked greens
âSilveradoâ
This improved white-stemmed Swiss chard offers compact growth and mild, savoyed dark green leaves ideal for smaller spaces.
- Height: 10-14 inches
- Maturity: 50 days
- Traits: Compact, excellent flavor, slow to bolt
- Flavor: Mild, less earthy
- Best for: Containers, small gardens, continuous harvests
âPink Lipstickâ
One of the most decorative chard types, âPink Lipstickâ features magenta-pink stems and verdant leaves.
- Height: 16-20 inches
- Maturity: 55 days
- Traits: Ornamental, tender leaves, eye-catching color
- Flavor: Mild, not bitter
- Best for: Edible bouquets, adding color to dishes
âGoldenâ Chard
Characterized by brilliant golden-yellow stems and dark green leaves, âGoldenâ chard is both ornamental and delicious.
- Height: 18-24 inches
- Maturity: 50-60 days
- Traits: Early yielding, bright color
- Flavor: Slightly sweet, mild
- Best for: Raw salads, stir-fries, decorative gardens
âNeon Glowâ
A newer mix, âNeon Glowâ features pink and gold stemsâa more refined take on rainbow chard. Stunning in mixed plantings and bouquets.
- Height: 16-20 inches
- Maturity: 55 days
- Traits: Two-tone mix, vibrant color, excellent garden display
- Flavor: Mild, tender leaves
- Best for: Ornamental gardens, edible arrangements
âPeppermintâ Chard
âPeppermintâ features unique stems striped pink and white, paired with classic green leaves. This variety is sought after for edible landscapes.
- Height: 18-20 inches
- Maturity: 55-60 days
- Traits: Bicolor stems, ornamental, good yields
- Flavor: Mild, not bitter
- Best for: Salads, garnishes, decorative plantings
âMagenta Sunsetâ
With glowing magenta-pink stems and soft green leaves, âMagenta Sunsetâ is a showstopper. Plants are especially well-suited for cutting gardens and visual displays.
- Height: 16-18 inches
- Maturity: 55 days
- Traits: Intense color, ornamental, tender leaves
- Flavor: Mild, slightly sweet
- Best for: Bouquet gardens, microgreens, edible displays
Comparison Table: Key Swiss Chard Varieties
| Variety | Maturity (days) | Height (inches) | Stem Color | Special Traits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lucullus | 50 | 20 | White | Crumpled, heavy yielder |
| Barese | 50 | 7-9 | Pale white-green | Tender, compact |
| Fordhook Giant | 60 | 24 | White | Large, heat-tolerant |
| Perpetual Spinach | 20-50 | 20 | Bright green | Spinach-like flavor |
| Bright Lights | 55 | 18-20 | Rainbow | Colorful stems |
| Rhubarb Chard | 60 | 18-24 | Red | Classic ruby stalks |
| Ruby Chard | 55-60 | 20 | Red | Crinkled leaves |
| Silverado | 50 | 10-14 | White | Compact |
| Pink Lipstick | 55 | 16-20 | Pink | Ornamental |
| Golden Chard | 50-60 | 18-24 | Gold | Bright, sweet |
| Neon Glow | 55 | 16-20 | Pink & Gold | Two-tone |
| Peppermint | 55-60 | 18-20 | Pink & White | Bicolor, pretty |
| Magenta Sunset | 55 | 16-18 | Magenta | Intense color |
How to Grow Swiss Chard Successfully
Most chard varieties are easy to cultivate with little trouble, whether for seasoned gardeners or first-time growers.
- Planting time: Start seeds indoors 4â6 weeks before your last expected frost, or sow directly outside 2â4 weeks before the last frost date. In mild climates, sow in fall.
- Soil: Rich, fertile, and well-draining soil is best. Chard prefers a neutral to slightly acidic pH.
- Spacing: Leave 8â12 inches between plants for full-sized chard; for baby greens, sow more densely and thin later.
- Sun: Chard grows in full sun to partial shade.
- Watering: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Mulch helps retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- Pest and Disease Resistance: Most chard is resilient, but keep an eye out for leaf miners and slugs. Resistant cultivars are especially useful in problem areas.
- Harvest: Begin harvesting outer leaves as soon as they are large enough to eat. The plant will continue producing throughout the season.
Culinary Uses for Swiss Chard
Swiss chard is extremely versatile in the kitchen. Both the stems and leaves can be enjoyed:
- Raw: Young leaves are superb in mixed salads or as sandwich greens.
- Cooked: Sauté, steam, or stir-fry the leaves. Add stalks to soups, stews, or gratinsâthey add crunch and a mild earthy flavor.
- Juicing: Chard is flavorful and highly nutritious in fresh juice blends or smoothies.
- Pickling: The colorful stalks can be pickled for a tangy, crunchy treat.
Tips for Choosing Which Variety to Grow
- If you want intense color and ornamental value, choose âBright Lights,â âPink Lipstick,â âGolden Chard,â or âNeon Glow.â
- For classic white-stemmed flavor, âFordhook Giantâ and âLucullusâ are reliable heirlooms.
- If space is limited, opt for compact types like âBareseâ or âSilverado.â
- If you prefer a spinach-like taste, try âPerpetual Spinach.â
- For salads, most baby-leaf varieties will be extra tender and mild.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the difference between rainbow chard and Swiss chard?
A: Rainbow chard is not a distinct botanical typeâitâs a blend of Swiss chard seeds with stems of various colors like pink, red, white, orange, and yellow. Any colored-stem variety can be called rainbow chard, but all are forms of Swiss chard.
Q: Can Swiss chard survive frost or cold weather?
A: Yes, most Swiss chard varieties are biennial and fairly cold tolerant. They will overwinter in mild climates and withstand light to moderate freezes, making them excellent for three-season harvesting.
Q: Is Swiss chard related to beets?
A: Swiss chard is closely related to beets (both are Beta vulgaris subspecies), but unlike beets, chard is grown for its edible leaves and stems rather than its root.
Q: Are the stems of all chard varieties edible?
A: Absolutelyâevery part of the plant is edible. Tender young stems are best in salads, while mature stems hold up well to cooking.
Q: Can I grow different chard varieties together?
A: Yes! Mixing different colored or textured chard types in a single garden bed offers both greater visual appeal and harvest diversity, while encouraging pollinators and beneficial insects.
Summary
Swiss chard is an indispensable green for any gardener, balancing visual drama, nutritional value, and ease of cultivation. With so many varieties now available, you can customize your harvest for flavor, performance, and stunning color from early spring to late fall.
References
Similar Articles
Read full bio of Anjali Sayee
