Beetroot.

En un coup d'œil

Niveau d'entretien

Facile

Type de plante

Vegetable

Lumière

Full sun

Lumière en intérieur

Soleil direct

Arrosage

Tous les 3 à 7 jours

Taille adulte

12 to 18 inches tall

Croissance

Rapide

Rusticité

USDA 2 à 11

Floraison

Late spring to summer of the second year

Entretien

Keep the soil consistently moist to ensure the roots develop properly without becoming woody. Watch for wilting leaves as a sign that the plant needs a drink. Thin your seedlings early so each beet has enough room to grow to its full size.

Arrosage

Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged to prevent the roots from cracking.

Engrais

Apply a balanced, low nitrogen fertilizer once a month to encourage root development over leaf growth.

Taille

Remove any yellowing or damaged outer leaves to keep the plant healthy and focused on root production.

Rempotage

Beets are typically grown directly in the ground and do not require repotting.

Sol

Well draining, loose, loamy soil

pH du sol

6.0 to 7.5

Température

5 à 25°C

Humidité

40 à 70%

Résistance à la sécheresse

Moyenne

Durée de vie

Biennial, typically grown as an annual for harvest.

Résistance aux chevreuils et lapins

Moyenne

Sécurité

Humains

The plant is generally safe to eat, though high consumption of leaves can be problematic due to high oxalate content.

Enfants

No specific risks, but keep an eye on small children around garden tools used for harvesting.

Allergènes de contact

Handling the foliage may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals due to plant juices.

Allergènes aéroportés

Pollen from the flowering stalks can trigger seasonal allergies in sensitive people.

Comestibilité

Beets contain oxalates which may contribute to kidney stones in sensitive individuals.

Comment l'identifier

• Deep red or purple taproot
• Large, heart shaped green leaves
• Prominent red or pink leaf veins
• Smooth, round or tapered root shape

Hauteur

0,3 à 0,6m

Envergure

0,2 à 0,4m

Feuilles

green, red, purple, deciduous

Fleurs

green, white, 0,5 à 1cm

Fruits

brown, Summer to autumn

Problèmes courants

• Cercospora leaf spot — Fungal infection causing small circular spots on leaves.
• Beet leafhopper — Small insects that feed on sap and transmit viruses.

La cultiver

Multiplication

seed

Quand planter

spring, late summer

Hivernage

In mild climates, mulch the soil to protect the roots. In cold climates, harvest all roots before the ground freezes.

En pot

Beets grow well in containers at least 30 cm deep to allow for root development.

Plant beets in rows between taller crops to maximize space in the vegetable garden.

Bonnes associations

• Haricot commun — Beans fix nitrogen in the soil which helps the beets grow.
• Lettuce — These shallow rooted greens grow well alongside the deeper rooted beets.
• Oignon — Onions have a different root structure that does not compete for space.

À éloigner de

• Haricot commun — Pole beans can shade out the beets and compete for nutrients.

Espèces similaires

• Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris — It is the same species but bred specifically for its edible leaves.

Science

Famille

Amaranthaceae

Genre

Beta

Ordre

Caryophyllales

Classe

Magnoliopsida

Région d'origine

Coastal regions of Europe and North Africa.

Préservation

Not of conservation concern as it is a widely cultivated crop.

It naturally grows in saline, sandy soils along seashores, which explains its high salt tolerance.

Intérêt pour la faune

nectar source

Pollinisateurs

abeilles, papillons

Utilisations

culinary root vegetable, leafy green vegetable, natural food coloring

Taxonomie vérifiée avec le GBIF.

Ce qu'on demande souvent

Why are my beet roots small?

This is often caused by overcrowding or soil that is too compacted.

Can I eat the beet greens?

Yes, beet greens are highly nutritious and can be prepared like spinach.

D'où vient le nom

The genus name Beta is the ancient Latin name for the plant, while vulgaris simply means common.

Bon à savoir

• Beets are a primary source of commercial sugar production in temperate regions.
• The red pigment in beets is used as a natural food dye known as betanin.
• Ancient Romans used beet juice as an aphrodisiac.
• Beets can be pickled, roasted, or eaten raw in salads.