Rainbow Chard
Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla 'Bright Lights'
vegetableA stunning ornamental and edible chard with stems in red, yellow, orange, pink, and white, often sold as Rainbow or Bright Lights chard. Identical in culture and flavor to standard Swiss chard, but dramatically more colorful in the garden and on the plate. A cut-and-come-again workhorse of the vegetable garden from spring through frost.
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Sun
full sun
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Water
Every 2 days
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Harvest
~60 days
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Difficulty
easy
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Lifecycle
biennial
Leaves year 1, flowers year 2
↔️
Spacing
8-12 in
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Planting Depth
1/2 in
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Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Growing Details
Soil Type
Rich, well-draining
Hardiness Zones
Zones 3 – 10
Grown as an annual. This range is its winter hardiness, but you can grow it for a single season in any zone.
When to Fertilize
At planting with balanced fertilizer; nitrogen side-dress every 4 to 6 weeks through the season
Fertilizer
Balanced 10-10-10 or compost; moderate nitrogen for continued leaf production
🌱 Growing Guide
Direct sow 4 weeks before last frost or start indoors for transplanting. Chard seed is actually a cluster of seeds. One pellet will germinate several seedlings. Thin to 8 to 12 inches. Heat-tolerant and will produce through summer when planted in partial afternoon shade. Cut outer leaves repeatedly from the base, leaving the growing center. Hard frost improves flavor by converting starch to sugar.
Planting Calendar
Sign in to personalize →spring planting
🌱
Start seeds indoors
Feb 25
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Transplant outdoors
Apr 1
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Projected first harvest
May 31
fall planting
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Direct sow
Aug 4
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Projected first harvest
Oct 3
JJan
FFeb
MMar
AApr
MMay
JJun
J
✅ Plant alongside
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
- Onion: Deters leaf miners that commonly attack chard foliage
- Bean: Compatible bed companion; beans fix nitrogen that feeds chard
- Cabbage: Both prefer cool weather and similar soil; efficient bed companions
- Garlic: Garlic deters aphids and beetles near chard
❌ Keep away from
Pole Bean
🛡️ Pest & disease prevention
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts. Tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
Row cover from transplanting; destroy infested leaves immediately; avoid planting near spinach or beet
Water blast; insecticidal soap; plant alliums nearby
Beer traps; diatomaceous earth around plants; handpick after rain
Row cover early season; diatomaceous earth; beneficial nematodes in soil
🌾 Harvest & storage
Harvest outer stalks when 8 to 12 inches long by cutting at the base. Leave the 3 to 4 innermost stalks to continue growing. A single plant harvested this way will produce from spring through fall. Stems and leaves can be used together or separately. Stems take longer to cook and can be sauteed like celery. Refrigerate and use within 5 to 7 days.
🥗 Nutrition & benefits
Excellent source of vitamins A, K, and C, magnesium, potassium, and iron. Colored stems contain anthocyanins and betalains, additional antioxidants beyond the green leaf content. One of the most nutritionally dense vegetables per calorie.
For educational and informational purposes only. HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.