How to Grow Silverbeet in New Zealand
Updated June 2026
A year-round workhorse that copes with Auckland summers and mild winters alike. Pick the outer leaves regularly and a few plants will keep cropping for many months.
What it looks like as it grows
When to plant silverbeet in New Zealand
Timing is everything in New Zealand, where the warm north and the cooler south are weeks apart. Sow or plant in these months for your region:
| Region | When to sow or plant |
|---|---|
| Northland | January, February, March, April, August, September, October, November, December |
| Auckland | January, February, March, April, August, September, October, November, December |
| Waikato & BoP | January, February, March, April, August, September, October, November, December |
| Wellington | January, February, March, April, August, September, October, November, December |
| Nelson & Marlborough | January, February, March, April, August, September, October, November, December |
| Canterbury | January, February, March, April, August, September, October, November, December |
| Otago & Southland | January, February, March, April, August, September, October, November, December |
| Central Otago | January, February, March, April, August, September, October, November, December |
Best silverbeet varieties for NZ
- Fordhook Giant, Large white-stemmed silverbeet, vigorous and the reliable NZ staple. (Yates NZ, Kings Seeds, Mitre 10)
- Rainbow / Bright Lights Chard, Mixed pink, yellow and orange stems, ornamental and good to eat. (Kings Seeds, Mr Fothergill's NZ)
- Perpetual Spinach (Leaf Beet), Thinner-stemmed leaf beet that crops a long time and tastes closer to spinach. (Kings Seeds, Egmont Seeds)
How to grow silverbeet
- Space plants about 30cm apart.
- Sow seed around 1.5cm deep.
- Position: full sun.
- Ready to harvest in roughly 60 days.
- Seeds germinate in about 10 days.
Companion planting
Grow silverbeet near: Beans, Onion, Lettuce, Brassicas.
Pests and problems
Watch for: Leaf miner, Slugs. See our NZ pest and disease guide for organic control.
When it goes wrong
The most common ways silverbeet trips people up, and what to change next time:
Leaves go spotty with brown patches
Leaf spot fungus in humid weather. Remove affected leaves and give it airflow; it usually keeps producing.
Bolts to seed
It is biennial, so it runs up in its second spring. Sow a fresh row each year.
🌱 Plant Silverbeet in your garden →FAQ
When is the best time to plant silverbeet in New Zealand?
In the warm north (Auckland, Northland) sow in January, February, March, April, August, September, October, November, December. Cooler regions plant a little later. Check the table above for your region.
Where can I buy silverbeet seeds or plants in NZ?
Try Yates NZ, Kings Seeds, Mitre 10.