Vegetables

Beta vulgaris 'Detroit Dark Red'

Detroit Dark Red Beet

Amaranthaceae

Cultivar of garden origin (species native to Mediterranean coast and Atlantic Europe)

At a Glance

TypeBiennial
HabitMounding
FoliageDeciduous
Height12-18 inches (30-45 cm)
Width6-12 inches (15-30 cm)

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

2 - 9
Zone 2
Zone 3
Zone 4
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
Zone 9
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Container Friendly
Maintenancelow

Overview

Beta vulgaris 'Detroit Dark Red' is an upright, clump-forming biennial root vegetable (grown as an annual) in the amaranth family (Amaranthaceae) reaching 12–18 inches (30–45 cm) tall with a 6–12 inch (15–30 cm) spread. This cultivar produces a globe-shaped root 2.5–3.5 inches (6–9 cm) in diameter with deep crimson-red flesh and smooth, dark red skin. The interior flesh is uniformly dark red with indistinct zoning (lighter rings are minimal compared to older open-pollinated beets). Leaves are dark green with burgundy-red veins and petioles, ovate to heart-shaped, 6–10 inches (15–25 cm) long. Both roots and greens are edible. Each beet "seed" is actually a multigerm cluster containing 2–4 seeds; thinning to 4 inches (10 cm) apart is necessary. Introduced in 1892 by D.M. Ferry & Co. and remains the standard open-pollinated red beet after 130+ years. The open-pollinated habit makes it a primary seed-saving teaching cultivar — beets are biennial, requiring two seasons to produce seed. Tolerates light frost; roots sweeten after exposure to temperatures below 40°F (4°C).

Native Range

The species Beta vulgaris is native to the Mediterranean coast and Atlantic Europe. 'Detroit Dark Red' was introduced in 1892 by D.M. Ferry & Company (Detroit, Michigan). It remains the most widely grown open-pollinated red beet worldwide after 130+ years of continuous cultivation.

Suggested Uses

Planted in vegetable gardens, raised beds, and containers (3+ gallon). Roots are roasted, boiled, pickled, or eaten raw in salads. Greens are sautéed or added to soups. The primary open-pollinated beet for seed-saving education — the biennial seed production cycle, multigerm seed clusters, cross-pollination with chard, and isolation requirements are standard seed-saving curriculum. Included in root vegetable rotations and fall storage gardens.

How to Identify

Distinguished from 'Bright Lights' Swiss chard by the swollen globe root (versus thin, fibrous root), the shorter stature, and the cultivation for root rather than leaf harvest. Distinguished from 'Fordhook Giant' Swiss chard by the same root-versus-leaf criteria. Distinguished from other beet cultivars by the uniformly deep crimson-red flesh with minimal zoning (versus 'Chioggia' with red-and-white rings, or 'Golden' with golden-yellow flesh).

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 1'6"
Width/Spread6" - 1'

Colors

Flower Colors

green

Foliage Colors

green
red

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
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S
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Summer
Biennial; flowers in the second year after vernalization (extended cold exposure below 50°F / 10°C for 6+ weeks). Flower stalks reach 36–48 inches (90–120 cm) with small greenish flowers in branching spikes. For seed saving, roots are overwintered in the ground (Pacific Northwest) or in cold storage, then replanted in spring. Beets cross-pollinate with other Beta vulgaris including chard and sugar beet; isolation distance of 0.5–1 mile (0.8–1.6 km) or alternate-day caging is required for seed purity.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Greenish (second year only)

Foliage Description

Dark green with burgundy-red veins and petioles; ovate to heart-shaped

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Partial Shade
Requires 4-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamsiltsand
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Direct sow seeds 0.5 inch (1 cm) deep, 2–4 weeks before the last frost date, spacing 1 inch (2.5 cm) apart in rows 12 inches (30 cm) apart. Thin to 4 inches (10 cm) when seedlings reach 2 inches (5 cm) — thinnings are edible as microgreens. Successive sowings every 3 weeks extend the harvest from late spring through fall. Consistent moisture prevents woody texture and internal white zoning. Harvest roots at 2–3 inches (5–8 cm) diameter for tender texture; roots remain usable up to 4 inches (10 cm) but texture becomes coarser. In the Pacific Northwest, fall-sown beets mature slowly through winter for early spring harvest. Store harvested roots in damp sand at 32–40°F (0–4°C) for 3–5 months.

Pruning

No pruning applicable. Harvest outer leaves for greens without removing the growing center to allow continued root development. Twist off tops 1 inch (2.5 cm) above the root crown at harvest to prevent bleeding.

Maintenance Level

low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 3 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic

Planting Guide

Planting Methods & Timing

Planting Method

direct sow

Direct Sow Timing

2-4 weeks before last frost; successive sowings every 3 weeks through midsummer

Days to Maturity

55–70 days

Plant Spacing

4 inches

Companion Planting

Good Companions

onion
lettuce
bush bean
garlic

Avoid Planting With

pole bean
field mustard