Swiss Chard

Swiss Chard Starter Plants in 4-Inch or 5-Inch Pots Available in Jupiter, FL

Swiss Chard (Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla) is a striking cool-season leafy green that brings both beauty and nutrition to your garden. With colorful stems ranging from ruby red to golden yellow and emerald-green leaves that shimmer in the sun, Swiss Chard is as ornamental as it is edible. It thrives in South Florida’s mild fall and winter months and delivers a continuous harvest of tender, slightly earthy leaves that can be enjoyed raw, sautéed, or added to soups and stews.

Sold in 4-inch or 5-inch pots, these well-rooted starter plants are ready to take off in raised beds or containers.

Care & Growing Info (Optimized for South Florida):

Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade. Prefers at least 4–6 hours of direct light, though afternoon shade can help reduce heat stress during warmer weeks.

Watering: Moderate. Keep the soil evenly moist but never waterlogged. Mulch helps retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.

Soil: Rich, well-draining soil with plenty of compost. Swiss Chard prefers a slightly acidic to neutral pH and benefits from added worm castings or organic fertilizer at planting.

Fertilizer: Feed every 3–4 weeks with a balanced fertilizer to promote continuous leaf production. High-nitrogen organic blends help maintain lush, healthy foliage.

Growth Habit: Upright, leafy rosette with vibrant stalks. Can reach 1–2 feet tall and wide.

Temperature: USDA Zones 9–11. Performs best between 50–75°F. In South Florida, plant in fall for harvests through late spring.

Maintenance: Low. Remove outer leaves as needed, and keep the center crown intact for continued growth. Watch for aphids and leaf miners—treat with neem or insecticidal soap if needed.

Harvest & Seasonality:

Planting Time: Best planted from October through February in South Florida.

Harvest Time: 30–60 days after transplanting. Harvest young leaves for salads or mature leaves for cooking.

How to Harvest: Cut or snap outer leaves at the base when they reach 6–8 inches long. Avoid cutting the central growing point to allow regrowth.

Seasonal Notes: Performs best in cool weather. May bolt (flower prematurely) in spring heat—harvest regularly to extend the season.

Medicinal & Nutritional Benefits:

Swiss Chard is a powerhouse green packed with Vitamins A, C, and K, along with magnesium, potassium, and fiber. It supports bone health, immune function, and detoxification. Its antioxidants help reduce inflammation, while its colorful stems indicate the presence of betalains, beneficial phytonutrients also found in beets.

Ideal For:

• Continuous harvest of leafy greens during South Florida’s cool season

• Gardeners who want edible beauty in raised beds or containers

• Nutrient-dense cooking and juicing greens

• Pairing with kale, bok choy, or lettuce in fall/winter beds

• New growers looking for a reliable, low-maintenance plant

Plant Classification:

Scientific Name: Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla
Common Name: Swiss Chard
Plant Type: Leafy green vegetable
Family: Amaranthaceae (also includes spinach and beets)
Class: Dicot – Broad-leaved with branching veins and a taproot system
Growth Form: Upright leafy biennial (grown as an annual)
Evergreen/Deciduous: Neither—treated as a cool-season annual
Perennial or Annual: Technically a biennial, but grown as an annual in South Florida for best taste and texture

Container Sizes: 4-inch or 5-inch pots