Best Swiss Chard Varieties: 12 Stunning Cultivars To Try

Swiss Chard Varieties: 12 Cultivars Every Gardener Should Know

Swiss chard is a nutritional powerhouse and a visually stunning addition to any vegetable garden. While many recognize its vibrant rainbow stems, few realize the diversity of cultivars available to home gardeners. This guide explores twelve of the most beloved Swiss chard varieties, highlighting their distinct appearances, flavors, and the best ways to grow and enjoy them.

Table of Contents

• Why Grow Swiss Chard?
• Overview of Swiss Chard Varieties
• 12 Top Swiss Chard Cultivars
• How to Choose the Right Swiss Chard Variety
• Growing and Harvesting Swiss Chard
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why Grow Swiss Chard?

Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris), also called silverbeet or leaf beet, is one of the most versatile, hardy, and nutritious greens you can cultivate. Closely related to beets, it was first named by the Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus. Its big, leafy greens and fleshy stems bring both flavor and color to garden beds and plates, thriving in a wide range of conditions and producing abundantly throughout the growing season.

• Highly Nutritious: Loaded with vitamins A, K, C, E, as well as minerals and fiber.
• Colorful and Decorative: Rainbow varieties offer eye-catching stalks in reds, yellows, pinks, and oranges.
• Adaptable: Tolerates light to moderate frost, making it suitable for spring and fall gardens.
• Continuous Harvest: Snip outer leaves for ongoing growth and repeated yields.

Overview of Swiss Chard Varieties

When gardeners picture Swiss chard, they often think of the classic white-stemmed or mixed “rainbow” types. However, hundreds of chard cultivars exist, each offering unique features. Some boast tender baby leaves ideal for salads, while others grow massive, crumpled leaves for cooking. From delicate pale greens to vibrant magentas, every variety brings something distinct to the table.

12 Top Swiss Chard Cultivars

Below, we detail twelve Swiss chard varieties that perform exceptionally well in home gardens, organized for easy comparison of their standout traits, uses, and appearance.

1. Barese Swiss Chard

Known for its resilience, tenderness, and delicate flavor, Barese is a superb choice for those seeking baby greens. Its pale greenish-white stems and dark green, flat leaves mature early—within 50 days. This variety thrives despite tough weather and pest pressure, making it a favorite for continuous harvest at a young, sweet stage.

2. Bright Lights

A celebrated rainbow variety, Bright Lights offers a stunning mix of stem colors: red, yellow, orange, pink, and white. Its slightly savoyed green leaves are both eye-catching and nutritious. “Bright Lights” adds visual flair to salads and garden beds alike, maturing in about 60 days. It won the All-America Selections award for its adaptability and yield.

3. Celebration

Another multi-colored chard, Celebration develops glossy, dark green leaves atop vivid stems in shades of pink, yellow, orange, white, and red. Known for its uniform growth and compact rosette habit, Celebration performs well for both baby leaf and mature harvest, making it a favorite for home gardens and market growers.

4. Fordhook Giant

This classic white-stemmed Swiss chard boasts thick, crumpled dark green leaves and robust white stalks. Fordhook Giant is a vigorous producer with a long-standing reputation for reliability and hearty greens. Its strong texture and earthy flavor shine in sautés, stews, and hearty dishes. It matures in about 60 days.

5. Lucullus

Named after a legendary Roman gourmet, Lucullus features broad, heavily crumpled green leaves and wide, juicy white ribs. This variety is prized for both its yield and resilience. Lucullus performs well in heat and is known for exceptionally large leaves, perfect for those who want abundant greens for cooking.

6. Perpetual (Evergreen, Spinach Chard)

If you desire a chard that endures from spring into late fall, try Perpetual. Also called “evergreen chard” or “spinach chard,” this variety produces medium green, smooth leaves and very pale white stems. It’s virtually bolt- and drought-resistant, offering non-stop harvests all season long.

7. Pink Lipstick

For those who love pink, Pink Lipstick Swiss chard delivers vivid magenta-pink stems against dark green leaves. This variety is both attractive and flavorful, ideal for adding a fun twist to salads and garnishes. Its tender leaves can be harvested young or allowed to mature for a bolder presentation.

8. Rainbow Chard

Not a true single cultivar, “Rainbow Chard” usually refers to a blend of colored chard seeds—often including red, gold, white, and pink-stemmed types. Expect a spectrum of stem colors with each planting, resulting in a vibrant garden worth both eating and admiring.

9. Ruby Red

Distinguished by its candy-apple red stems and deep green leaves, Ruby Red chard is both ornamental and highly edible. It is sometimes called “Rhubarb Chard” due to its crimson appearance. The rich color persists after cooking, making it a culinary standout.

10. Rhubarb Chard

While often used interchangeably with Ruby Red, Rhubarb Chard typically features even brighter green, crinkled leaves and deep red stalks. This variety was bred for robust flavor and striking garden presence, with a bold stem color that provides visual drama in both beds and on the plate.

11. Oriole Orange

One of the rarest colored chards, Oriole Orange produces bright orange stems and green leaves, bringing a warm hue to leafy green collections. It’s mildly flavored and excellent harvested young for salads or allowed to mature for a pop of color in stir-fries.

12. Peppermint Swiss Chard

With its unique candy-striped stems of white and pink, Peppermint stands out among chard types. Its bright green leaves and sweet stalks give both visual and culinary appeal, making it a fun addition to children’s gardens and gourmet dishes alike.

How to Choose the Right Swiss Chard Variety

With so many options, your choice depends on several factors:

• Flavor Preferences: Baby leaf varieties (like Barese or Perpetual) are usually milder, while mature chard (Fordhook Giant, Lucullus) is earthier and more robust.
• Visual Appeal: Rainbow mixes, Bright Lights, and Pink Lipstick are ideal for ornamental gardens and colorful plates.
• Intended Use:
  • For salads: Go for tender or baby-leaf types such as Barese or Perpetual.
  • For sautéing and soups: Fordhook Giant, Lucullus, and Ruby Red shine in cooked dishes.
• Growing Conditions: Perpetual and Lucullus are best for gardeners in hot climates or with erratic watering, as they are drought and bolt-resistant.

Growing and Harvesting Swiss Chard

Swiss chard is refreshingly easy to grow, making it suitable for beginners and experienced gardeners alike. Here are some cultivation tips for success:

• Sowing: Direct seed outdoors as soon as the soil can be worked. Start indoors 2–4 weeks before last frost for early spring harvests.
• Spacing: Thin seedlings to 6–12 inches apart for mature growth or plant closer for baby leaf production.
• Sun and Soil: Prefers full sun but tolerates partial shade. Rich, well-drained soil yields the best flavors and colors.
• Water: Provide consistent moisture for tender leaves, but many varieties tolerate short dry spells.
• Harvest: Pick outer leaves regularly to encourage continued production. Chard will regrow for months if harvested this way.
• Pest and Disease: Generally hardy, but watch for leaf miners and slugs. Mulching and regular inspection help manage these issues.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is the difference between Swiss chard and rainbow chard?

A: Swiss chard refers to the species as a whole, while rainbow chard is a mix of different colored chard varieties planted together for a vibrant harvest.

Q: Can you eat the stems of Swiss chard?

A: Yes! Swiss chard stems are not only edible, but also delicious when sautéed, roasted, or added to soups and stir-fries.

Q: How do I keep Swiss chard producing all season?

A: Harvest leaves regularly, taking the outermost leaves and leaving the inner growth undisturbed. Consistent feeding and watering will also extend the harvest window.

Q: What does Swiss chard taste like?

A: Swiss chard leaves have a mild, earthy, slightly sweet flavor reminiscent of spinach or beet greens. Stems are more succulent and can be sweet or slightly bitter, depending on the variety.

Q: Which Swiss chard variety is best for beginners?

A: Fordhook Giant, Perpetual, and Bright Lights are great choices for beginners due to their resilience and prolific growth in various conditions.

Q: Is Swiss chard frost-tolerant?

A: Yes. Swiss chard can handle light to moderate frosts, and in mild climates, some varieties even overwinter successfully.

Summary

With countless shapes, hues, and flavors, Swiss chard is a true gem for home gardeners. From the dazzling rainbow stalks of Bright Lights to the tender baby leaves of Barese, there’s a cultivar for every palate and plot. Experiment with a few varieties each year to discover your favorites and enjoy harvests that are as beautiful as they are bountiful.

Author

medha deb

 

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

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