How to grow Silverbeet in New Zealand
Silverbeet, also called Swiss chard, is the workhorse of the Kiwi vegetable garden: it grows year round, copes with summer heat and winter cold, and a few plants feed a family for months. Pick the outer leaves regularly and the plants keep producing from the centre. Rainbow varieties with red, yellow and pink stems look as good as they taste.
📖 Our full guide: When to Plant Silverbeet in New Zealand: How to Grow, Pick and Store
At a glance
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| Northland | August to April | |
| Auckland | August to April | |
| Waikato & Bay of Plenty | August to April | |
| Central North Island | August to April | |
| Wellington & Lower North Island | August to April | |
| Nelson & Marlborough | August to April | |
| Canterbury | August to April | |
| Otago & Southland | September to March | Start spring sowings in Sep; the soil is too cold before then. Make the last sowing in Mar so the crop is ready before winter growth stops. |
| Central Otago | September to March | Start spring sowings in Sep; the soil is too cold before then. Make the last sowing in Mar so the crop is ready before winter growth stops. |
Not to be confused with: Spinach, which has smaller, softer leaves and bolts quickly in warm weather, and beetroot, a close relative grown for its root.
Where to plant
Silverbeet tolerates a wide range of soils, but does best in fertile, well-worked soil that holds moisture, in full sun or part shade. Dig in compost and sheep pellets before planting. It grows happily in containers as well as garden beds.
- Northland to Canterbury: sow or plant at almost any time; it copes with Auckland summers and mild winters alike.
- Otago, Southland and Central Otago: start spring sowings in September, when the soil has warmed, and make the last sowing in March so plants are well grown before winter.
Choosing a variety
- Fordhook Giant is a classic with broad white stems and big, crinkled, dark leaves.
- Rainbow or Bright Lights types have stems of red, yellow, orange, pink and white.
- Ruby Red and Bright Yellow are single-colour forms; Erbette is a fine-stemmed Italian type that is good picked young.
How to plant
- Sow seed direct in clumps, or in trays of seed-raising mix, and water well. Each knobbly seed is a cluster that can produce several seedlings.
- Thin to the strongest seedling in each clump, or plant seedlings about 30 cm apart.
- Plant seedlings in the early morning or late afternoon, and water well before and after planting.
- Mulch with pea straw to keep the soil moist and weeds down.
Watering and feeding
Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Silverbeet that dries out becomes tough and may bolt. Feed regularly with a liquid fertiliser for lush, leafy growth; it is a leafy crop that responds well to nitrogen.
Pruning and care through the year
- Pick the outer leaves regularly to encourage new growth from the centre.
- Remove any flower stalks, and replace plants once they bolt or become tired, usually after a year or so.
- Sow a new crop to overlap with the old one for a continuous harvest.
- Protect young plants from slugs and snails.
Harvesting
Start picking the outer leaves once plants are well established, about eight to ten weeks from sowing. Snap or cut the stems off near the base, leaving the inner leaves to grow on. Use young leaves raw in salads and older ones cooked; the stems can be cooked separately like celery.
Growing in pots
Silverbeet does well in a pot at least 30 cm wide, filled with a premium potting mix, in full sun to part shade. Water regularly and feed every couple of weeks.
Companion planting
Silverbeet is an easy neighbour that fits into most beds.
Good companions
Pests and diseases
Silverbeet is tough and has few serious problems. Leaf miner and leaf spot are the main ones.
Pests to watch for
- Leaf miner Pale, papery blotches or winding trails inside the leaves. Pick off affected leaves.
- Slugs Holes in young leaves and slime trails.
Diseases to watch for
- Cercospora leaf spot Small round grey-brown spots with reddish edges on older leaves, worst in warm, humid weather.
Common questions
Is silverbeet the same as Swiss chard?
Yes. Silverbeet is the usual New Zealand name for Swiss chard. Rainbow chard is a mix of coloured-stemmed silverbeet.
How do I pick silverbeet so it keeps growing?
Take the outer leaves, snapping or cutting them off near the base, and leave the central leaves to keep growing. Regular picking encourages new growth.
Why is my silverbeet going to seed?
Silverbeet is a biennial and eventually flowers, often in its second spring or after stress such as drying out. Remove flower stalks, and sow a fresh crop to take over.
Why is my silverbeet not growing?
Usually poor or dry soil or a lack of food. Dig in compost, keep it moist, and feed with a liquid fertiliser every couple of weeks.
Can I grow silverbeet in a pot?
Yes. A pot at least 30 cm wide with good potting mix suits one or two plants.
What are the spots on my silverbeet leaves?
Round grey-brown spots with reddish edges are cercospora leaf spot, common in warm, humid weather. Remove affected leaves, water at the base and give plants space.
Sources we checked: Tui: Silverbeet growing guide; Yates NZ: How to grow silverbeet; Kings Seeds: Silverbeet Rainbow Lights.