Chard is one of the easiest and most rewarding vegetables you can grow. Its colorful stems and nutritious leaves make it a garden favorite for both beginners and seasoned gardeners.
With well-drained soil, regular watering, and minimal fertilizer, you’ll enjoy a steady supply of fresh greens from spring through fall. Chard thrives in pots, raised beds, or tucked into your vegetable patch.
Packed with vitamins A and K, plus minerals like calcium and iron, it’s as healthy as it is beautiful. Explore these 12 types of chard and discover which ones will add flavor and color to your meals this season.
#1 ‘Oriole’
‘Oriole’ chard brings a splash of golden sunshine to your garden with its brilliant yellow stems and glossy green leaves. Named after the bird with similar coloring, this variety matures in about 60 days.
It thrives in full sun and rewards you with tender, flavorful leaves that work beautifully in sautés and salads. The upright growth makes it easy to harvest and ideal for smaller spaces.
Regular picking encourages fresh growth throughout the season. If you want a bold variety that’s both ornamental and tasty, ‘Oriole’ is a must-try.
#2 ‘Peppermint’
‘Peppermint’ chard might not taste like candy, but its appearance is just as delightful. The stalks are striped with pink and white, while the leaves remain a rich, deep green.
This variety is both bolt-resistant and disease-resistant, making it reliable in different climates. It matures in about 55 to 65 days, but baby leaves can be picked earlier for tender salads.
Plant it in containers or raised beds for a pop of color. Its candy-cane look makes it a showstopper as well as a productive crop.
#3 ‘Lucullus’
A true garden classic, ‘Lucullus’ chard has broad white ribs and heavily crumpled, light-green leaves. It’s a strong producer, holding up through summer heat and even into early frost.
This variety is prized for its crunchy texture and mild flavor, making it a favorite for steaming and soups. It matures in around 60 days and offers continuous harvests if you pick leaves from the outside.
The plant is resilient and adapts well to different soil types. With its old-fashioned reliability, ‘Lucullus’ is perfect for gardeners who want consistent yields.
#4 ‘Red Magic’
As its name suggests, ‘Red Magic’ chard stands out with vigorous growth and radiant stems. This fast-growing variety matures in about 55 to 65 days under full sun.
Its glossy red stalks paired with dark green leaves create a striking contrast in the garden. The flavor is earthy and slightly sweet, making it versatile in stir-fries or braised dishes.
Plant in fertile soil and keep the soil moist for best results. If you want quick color and steady harvests, ‘Red Magic’ is an excellent choice.
#5 ‘Rainbow Sprinkles’
‘Rainbow Sprinkles’ is the variety to grow if you love baby greens. It matures in just 16 to 25 days, giving you an early harvest of tender, colorful leaves.
The stems come in shades of pink, yellow, and orange, making it as decorative as it is edible. It’s packed with nutrients and ideal for adding to salads, wraps, or garnishes.
Sow thickly and cut young leaves for a continuous supply. This variety proves that you don’t need to wait long for both beauty and flavor in your garden.
#6 ‘Fordhook Giant’
‘Fordhook Giant’ is a powerhouse variety known for its large, dark green, heavily crumpled leaves. It produces abundantly throughout the season, thriving in both sun and partial shade.
Maturing in about 55 to 60 days, it tolerates a range of conditions and is particularly hardy. Its thick leaves hold up well to cooking, making it perfect for soups and stews.
Regular watering will keep the leaves tender and sweet. For gardeners who want maximum yield from a dependable plant, this variety is a top pick.
#7 ‘Barese Swiss Chard’
Compact yet productive, ‘Barese’ chard is ready to harvest in just 50 days. It features pale greenish-white stems and smooth, flat dark-green leaves. The flat leaf shape makes it easy to wash and prepare in the kitchen.
It performs well in containers, making it a great choice for small gardens or balconies. With a mild, spinach-like taste, it’s ideal for fresh salads or quick sautés. This is a variety that balances speed, flavor, and beauty.
#8 ‘Perpetual Spinach’
‘Perpetual Spinach’ isn’t true spinach, but you’d never know from its taste. Its flatter leaves and slender stems make it look nearly identical, yet it grows more reliably than spinach.
It thrives in warm conditions where spinach often bolts, offering continuous harvests. Plant it in well-drained soil and water regularly for tender leaves.
The flavor is mild and less bitter, perfect for salads and omelets. If you want spinach without the fuss, this chard variety is the answer.
#9 ‘Bright Lights’
‘Bright Lights’ is one of the most popular chard blends, offering a rainbow of stem colors. You’ll see everything from golden yellow to ruby red, deep burgundy, and creamy white.
It matures in about 55 to 60 days, but young leaves can be picked earlier. The colorful stalks brighten garden beds and kitchen plates alike.
The leaves are tender and slightly sweet, excellent in salads or sautés. This variety is a must-grow for anyone who loves both flavor and color in the garden.
#10 ‘Pink Lipstick’
With neon-pink stems and deep green leaves, ‘Pink Lipstick’ lives up to its flashy name. It matures in 30 to 60 days, depending on the size of leaves you prefer to harvest.
The bright stems add excitement to any vegetable patch and look just as good in a pot on the patio. It’s an open-pollinated type, making it easy to save seeds for next year.
The leaves have a mild, earthy taste that pairs well in cooked dishes. This variety adds bold personality to your garden and kitchen.
#11 ‘Charbell’
‘Charbell’ is admired for its vibrant fuchsia stems and upright growth habit. Its leaves are deeply savoyed, giving them a lovely texture. This variety is ideal for harvesting as baby greens, with clean, tender leaves that keep growing back.
It’s resistant to bolting, so you’ll enjoy harvests over a longer period. Plant in fertile soil and water consistently to keep growth steady. Its beauty makes it stand out, but its productivity makes it a valuable addition to any garden.
#12 ‘Rhubarb Supreme’
‘Rhubarb Supreme’ is known for its rhubarb-red stems and dark, crumpled leaves. It takes about 60 days to reach maturity but can be picked earlier for smaller, more tender leaves. This variety thrives in full sun with moist, rich soil.
The bold color brings drama to the garden while delivering excellent flavor. Use it in soups, sautés, or fresh in salads for a burst of nutrients. It’s both an ornamental and edible choice that rewards you with beauty and a harvest all season long.