Common Name: Beetroot

General Information

Beta vulgaris (Garden Beet Group) is an erect, biennial plant producing a rosette of leaves from a swollen rootstock. It grows around 60cm tall, with a flowering stem that can be 150cm or more tall.
The beetroot is widely cultivated, both commercially and in gardens, for its edible root, though the leaves can also be eaten. The plant also has a range of traditional medicinal uses.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

A cultivated form of Beta vulgaris, it is not known in the wild

Habitat

Not known in a truly wild situation.

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Biennial
Height	0.90 m
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Cultivated

Cultivation Details

Beta vulgaris is originally a native of the warm temperate zone, though it has spread further north to the cold temperate zone. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 15 - 25°c, but can tolerate 4 - 35°c[]. When dormant, the plant can survive prolonged temperatures down to about -6°c, but young growth can be severely damaged at 0°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 600 - 1,500mm, but tolerates 500 - 2,500mm[].
A very easily grown plant, it succeeds in sun or light shade in moist soils but prefers a rich well-drained light neutral to alkaline soil[, ]. Beets grow well in a variety of soils, growing best in a deep, friable well-drained soil abundant with organic matter, but doing poorly on clay. They prefer an open position and a light well-drained soil[]. The optimum pH is 6.0 - 6.8, but the plant can tolerate 5 - 8.3[]. Some salinity may be tolerated after the seedling stage. Beets are notable for their tolerance to manganese toxicity[]. Plants are tolerant of saline soils and respond positively if salt is added to non-saline soils at a rate of about 30g per square metre[].
Beetroot is a fast-growing plant, some cultivars can produce a root ready for harvesting within 7 weeks from sowing the seed[]. The roots can be available all year round from successional sowings.
Beetroot plants are generally hardy in much of the temperate zone and can be left outdoors in the soil in most winters, though prolonged cold weather or severe winters can damage the roots. If the plants are exposed to prolonged temperatures below -10°c they will quickly run to seed[]. This also applies to the young plants of most beetroot varieties if they are sown in early spring - a short period where temperatures fall below zero can fool the plant into believing that there has been a winter and it will then try to flower and produce seed. There are, however, come varieties, such as 'Bolthardy', that are more resistant to bolting and so more suited to these early sowings[, ].
The beetroot is widely cultivated, especially in temperate zones, for its edible root. There are two basic forms, those with rounded roots and those with elongated roots with many named varieties of each form. The roots can be available all year round from successional sowings. A fast-growing plant, some cultivars can produce a root ready for harvesting within 7 weeks from sowing the seed[].
Most beetroot seed is actually a cluster of several seeds, though monogerm varieties have been produced that only have one seed - these monogerm varieties are less likely to require thinning once they have germinated[].
A good companion for dwarf beans, onions and kohl rabi[, ]. Its growth is inhibited by runner beans, charlock and field mustard[, ].

Edible Uses

Root - raw or cooked[, , , ]. Well-grown roots are sweet and tender, especially when young, and can be grated and used in salads. Beetroots are traditionally boiled until tender then pickled in vinegar and used in salads. The roots can also be cooked and used as a vegetable, they are sweet and delicious when baked[]. The root contains up to 8% sugar[]. The root is tasteless when grown on very wet soils and dry when grown on clay soils[]. Immature roots can be harvested in the summer and early autumn for immediate use, these are usually much more tender than the older roots[]. Mature roots can be left in the ground all winter and harvested as required, though they might suffer damage in severe winters[]. Alternatively, they are harvested in late autumn or early winter and will store for up to 6 months in a cool but not dry frost-free place[].

Leaves - raw or cooked like spinach[]. A reasonable spinach substitute, though harvesting leaves from growing plants can reduce yields of the roots[]. Some people dislike the raw leaves since they can leave an unpleasant taste in the mouth[]. A nutritional analysis is available[].

Medicinal

Although little used in modern herbalism, the plant has a long history of folk use, especially in the treatment of tumours[]. Beet juice was formerly recommended as a remedy for anaemia and yellow jaundice, and was put into the nostrils to purge the head, used as ear drops to clear ringing ears, and as a mouthwash to alleviate toothache[].

The root is carminative, emmenagogue, haemostatic, stomachic and is used as a tonic for women[]. The root can be used as part of the diet, or the juice can be extracted and used as a health-promoting drink[]. At least one litre of the juice from red-rooted forms must be taken each day in order to stimulate the immune system[]. The juice is prescribed by herbalists as part of a cancer-treatment regime[].
The root of white-rooted forms contain betaine which has been shown to promote the regeneration of liver cells and the metabolism of fat cells[, ].
The root of red-rooted forms contains betanin - an anthocyanin similar to those found in red wine. It has been shown to be partly responsible for red beet's immune-enhancing effect[].

A decoction prepared from the seed has been used as a remedy for tumours of the intestines. The seed, boiled in water, is said to cure genital tumours[].

The juice or other parts of the plant is said to help in the treatment of tumours, leukaemia and other forms of cancer such as cancer of the breast, oesophagus, glands, head, intestines, leg, lip, lung, prostate, rectum, spleen, stomach, and uterus[].
The juice has been applied topically to treat ulcers[].
Beet juice in vinegar is said to rid the scalp of dandruff, and has been recommended to prevent falling hair[].

A decoction is used as a purgative by those who suffer from haemorrhoids in South Africa[].

Agroforestry Uses:

A good companion for dwarf beans, onions and kohl rabi[]. Its growth is inhibited by runner beans, charlock and field mustard[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - pre-soaking for 12 hours in warm water prior to sowing encourages more rapid and even germination[]. For the earliest crop, ready to harvest in late spring, sow the seed in situ in late late winter or early early spring, giving it some protection such as a cloche. The first outdoor sowings can be made in early spring in situ to provide a crop from early summer onwards. For both of these sowings it is important to choose varieties that are resistant to bolting in case there is a cold spell in the spring. Sowings for the main crop can be made in mid spring to early early summer to provide roots for autumn, winter and early spring use. Late sowings of fast maturing varieties can be made in early to mid summer in order to provide fresh young roots in the autumn.