Varieties
Five silverbeet varieties worth growing
Swiss Chard
White / Silver stems
Mild, slightly earthy
The classic silverbeet. Large, dark green leaves with crisp white or pale silver stems. A workhorse in the kitchen: it wilts beautifully and has the mildest flavour of all varieties.
Rainbow Chard
Red, yellow, orange, pink mixed
Mildly sweet
A mix of brightly coloured stems in the same seed packet. Ornamental in the garden and on the plate. The coloured stems hold their colour well when cooked at low heat.
Ruby Chard
Deep crimson stems and veins
Slightly stronger, earthy-sweet
Striking deep red throughout the leaf and stem. High in betalains, the same pigments that give beetroot its colour. A dramatic garnish and nutritionally dense.
Fordhook Giant
Broad white stems
Rich, robust
The biggest of the bunch. Enormous dark green leaves with wide, celery-like white stems. Handles heat and cold well. Popular for large-scale growing and filling meals.
Bright Lights
Multi-coloured, ornamental
Delicate, sweet
Almost as popular for display as for eating. Stem colours range from golden yellow to pink, orange, purple, and white. Often grown in containers or as a border plant.