12 Stunning Swiss Chard Varieties for Every Garden
Expert tips and flavor pairings guide gardeners toward bountiful, nutrient-rich harvests.
Swiss chard stands as one of the most rewarding greens for home gardeners, providing a visual feast of vibrant stalks and nutritious, versatile leaves. From classic white-stemmed chard to brilliant rainbow mixes and spinach-like greens, each chard variety offers something uniqueâwhether you crave tender salads or eye-catching beds for edible landscaping. In this comprehensive guide, discover 12 outstanding Swiss chard cultivars, their best uses, what makes them distinctive, and expert growing advice for each variety.
Why Grow Swiss Chard?
Chard (Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris) is a leafy green prized for its:
- Striking colored stems (from white to neon pink, orange, crimson, and gold)
- High nutritionâpacked with vitamins A, K, and C, along with important minerals
- Long harvest window (tolerates both heat and mild frost)
- Low maintenance and vigorous yields throughout summer and fall
With so many types availableâfrom tender baby greens to large crumpled leavesâSwiss chard is as diverse as it is beautiful. Letâs explore the standout options for every gardener.
Types of Swiss Chard: Heirlooms, Hybrids, and Specialty Blends
Traditional chard features deep or light green leaves and often white or pale green stems. Modern varieties showcase bold hues and various leaf textures, bred for taste, resilience, or ornamental appeal. The main categories include:
- Heirloom chards: Old, open-pollinated varieties with established character.
- Hybrid chards: Bred for improved color or vigor.
- Rainbow blends: Seed mixes yielding multicolored stalks.
- Spinach-like chards: Soft, mild leaves ideal for salads.
12 Popular Varieties of Swiss Chard
Below is a curated guide to 12 favorite chard types for gardens big and small. For easy comparison, the table summarizes their key features:
| Variety Name | Main Features | Stem Color | Days to Maturity | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lucullus | Heirloom, heat-tolerant, thick leaves | White | 50 | Cooking, freezing |
| Barese | Bite-sized, early harvest, tender leaves | White | 25-35 (baby) | Salads, sautés |
| Fordhook Giant | Classic, broad ribs, very productive | White | 60 | Large bunches, soup |
| Bright Lights | Multi-colored blend, All-America winner | Red, yellow, pink, orange, white | 55 | Ornamental, salads, cooking |
| Rhubarb | Heirloom, deep red stalks & veins | Red | 60 | Cooking, salads |
| Neon Lights | Even more vivid than Bright Lights | Neon shadesâyellow, pink, red | 55 | Salads, garden color |
| Rainbow | Mixture of several colored types | Multi-colored | 55-60 | Mixed beds, ornamental use |
| Perpetual Spinach | Heirloom, thin stems, spinach-like | Light green | 20-50 | Salads, tender greens |
| Red Magic | Hybrid, bright red stems, smooth leaves | Cranberry red | 60 | Cooking |
| Silverado | Compact, glossy leaves, broad white stems | White | 60-65 | Containers, small spaces |
| Orange Fantasia | Bright orange stems, mild flavor | Orange | 60 | Salads, vibrant color |
| Peppermint | Red and white candy-striped stems | Pale pink/white striped | 55 | Ornamental, salads |
Dive Deeper: The Most Popular Swiss Chard Varieties
âLucullusâ
Lucullus is a classic heirloom named after a Roman general known for his passion for gardening. This variety features heavily crumpled, thick light-green leaves with broad, crunchy white ribs. Notably heat-tolerant, it grows up to 20 inches tall and continues to produce vigorously through hot summers until the first frost. Matures in about 50 days. Excellent for stews, sautés, or freezing. Best for: hot climates and gardeners seeking a long, heavy yield.
âBarese Swiss Chardâ
Barese, sometimes called “miniature chard,” has tender, succulent leaves that mature quicklyâeven as early as 25-35 days for baby greens. The plants are compact and offer great productivity for small spaces or containers. Mild in flavor and excellent when harvested young for salads or microgreens. Best for: early harvests and salad mixes.
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âFordhook Giantâ
Fordhook Giant is an old-time favorite for its extra-large, crumpled deep green leaves and thick white stalks that can reach 24-28 inches tall. Vigorous and cold-hardy, this variety provides bumper harvests for those who want full-sized chard as a spinach substitute. Perfect for cooking en masse or adding body to soups and stews. Best for: gardeners seeking abundant, large chard plants.
âBright Lightsâ
Bright Lights has become the go-to variety for home gardeners and edible landscapers, famed for its electric red, pink, orange, yellow, and white stems packed into every seed packet. An All-America Selections winner, Bright Lights has a mild flavor compared to other chards and remains productive over a long season. Matures in about 55 days, reaching around 18-20 inches tall. Best for: visual impact, edible landscaping, and tender, tasty stems for fresh or cooked dishes.
âRhubarb Chardâ
Rhubarb Swiss Chard is a striking heirloom with heavily crinkled, dark green leaves accented by deeply pigmented, bright crimson-red stems and veins. Matures in about 60 days and is renowned for its eye-catching beauty and anthocyanin-rich coloration. Not related to rhubarb, despite the name. Best for: salads, striking garden borders, and antioxidant content.
âNeon Lightsâ
Neon Lights is a vibrant hybrid blend featuring even more saturated huesâhot pink, tangerine orange, lemon yellow, and scarlet red. Similar in effect to Bright Lights, Neon Lights brings vivid color and mild flavor to both beds and plates. Best for: ornamental gardening and colorful salads.
âRainbow Chardâ
Rainbow Swiss Chard is typically a seed packet blend featuring a mixture of white, red, pink, yellow, and orange-stemmed plants. Great value for gardeners who want maximum diversity in a single sowing. Flavor and texture vary by plant, so pick throughout the season for a medley of tastes. Best for: colorful displays and gourmet dishes.
âPerpetual Spinachâ
Perpetual Spinachâdespite its nameâisnât spinach, but a Swiss chard selected for its tender, smooth, glossy green leaves and slender, pale green stems. Heat-tolerant and slow to bolt, it can be harvested as baby greens as soon as 20 days or allowed to reach full size at 50 days. Often grown in Mediterranean gardens and ideal for year-round greens in mild climates. Best for: salad lovers and areas with hot summers.
âRed Magicâ
Red Magic is a newer hybrid, celebrated for its cranberry-red stems and smooth, glossy leaves. Maturing in about 60 days, it remains uniform and vigorous, with a sweet, mild taste. Grow for a splash of scarlet and tender texture. Best for: ornamental beds and flavorful stir-fries.
âSilveradoâ
Silverado is a compact, petite Swiss chard with crinkled, glossy dark green leaves and broad white stems. It reaches only 14-16 inches tall and works beautifully in containers, raised beds, or tight spaces. Matures in 60-65 days. Best for: urban gardening and small plot growers.
âOrange Fantasiaâ
Orange Fantasia is cherished for its brilliant orange-pink stems and mild, sweet flavor. Less common than reds and whites, this variety stands out in any salad bowl or ornamental planting. Matures in about 60 days. Best for: color-focused gardeners and salad mixes.
âPeppermintâ
Peppermint Swiss Chard stands out with whimsical, candy cane-like pink and white striped stalks and green crumpled leaves. The unique bicolored stems add fun to salads and borders. Matures in about 55 days. Best for: edible decoration and curious kids.
Tips for Growing Swiss Chard
Swiss chard is simple to grow and suited to various climates. Consider these tips for a bountiful harvest:
- Direct sow seeds 2-4 weeks before your last frost, or start indoors for transplants.
- Space plants 8-12 inches apart for full-sized leaves; grow closer for cut-and-come-again baby greens.
- Tolerant of partial shade but stronger, more colorful stems appear in full sun.
- Harvest outer leaves as neededâchard regrows quickly if a central crown remains untouched.
- Mulch to conserve moisture and prevent weeds.
Swiss Chard in the Kitchen
Both the leaves and stalks of chard are edible. The younger, smaller leaves are ideal raw in salads, while mature leaves and crunchy stems hold up in stir-fries, casseroles, or as a spinach substitute. Try:
- Sautéing with garlic, olive oil, and lemon juice
- Adding to soups, quiches, or pasta dishes
- Pickling stems for zesty snacks
- Blending into smoothies for added nutrition
Tip: Chard stems cook slower than the leaves; consider preparing them separately for best results.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the difference between Swiss chard and rainbow chard?
Rainbow chard is simply a seed mix containing various colored Swiss chard types, rather than a distinct botanical variety. Any chard with multi-colored stems is considered “rainbow.”
Which Swiss chard variety is best for summer heat?
‘Lucullus’ and ‘Perpetual Spinach’ are renowned for their heat tolerance, providing reliable greens through hot summers.
Is Swiss chard perennial or annual?
Swiss chard is a biennial grown as an annual for its leaves. In warm, mild-winter climates, it can regrow in its second year before eventually going to seed.
Are all parts of Swiss chard edible?
Yes, both stems and leaves are edible. The stalks are especially delicious when cooked, and young leaves can be eaten raw.
Can Swiss chard be grown in containers?
Absolutely. Choose compact varieties like ‘Silverado’ or ‘Barese’, and use pots at least 8-10 inches deep for best results.
Quick Reference Table: Swiss Chard Varieties
| Variety | Highlights | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| Lucullus | Heirloom, heat-tolerant | Cooking, freezing |
| Barese | Miniature, tender, fast-growing | Baby leaves, salads |
| Bright Lights | Rainbow stalks, ornamental | Salads, landscapes |
| Fordhook Giant | Large size, robust | Bulk greens, soup |
| Perpetual Spinach | Spinach-like, slow to bolt | All-year greens |
| Rhubarb | Deep red stalks, striking | Salads, borders |
| Silverado | Small, glossy leaves | Containers |
| Red Magic | Hybrid, uniform red stems | Stir-fry, salads |
| Rainbow | Mixed seed blend | Edible color splash |
| Neon Lights | Vivid stem color | Salads, color beds |
| Orange Fantasia | Orange stems | Gourmet salads |
| Peppermint | Candy-striped stems | Kid-friendly, decoration |
Grow Your Own Rainbow
Swiss chard varieties provide nutrition, flair, and resilience to any vegetable plot. Whether youâre drawn to the heritage of âLucullusâ, the convenience of âBareseâ, or the electrifying color of âBright Lightsâ, thereâs a chard for every taste and climate. Experiment with several types in your garden to discover which shines brightest on your plate!
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