How to Grow Candy Stripe Beet

Candy Stripe Beet

Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris

vegetable

Candy Stripe is a striking heirloom beet variety with vibrant concentric rings of red and white throughout the root and flesh. This beet produces tender, sweet roots with a milder flavor than traditional dark beets and is as beautiful when sliced as it is nutritious. The edible greens are also excellent for cooking or raw consumption.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily; tolerates light afternoon shade in hot climates

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Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; provide 1-1.5 inches of water weekly. Even moisture is critical to prevent stringy or tough roots.

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Spacing: 3 inches

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Days to maturity: 55-70 days

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Planting depth: 0.5-1 inch deep

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil, loose and friable

pH: 6.0-7.5

Amendments:

Compost aged manure peat moss avoid fresh manure which can cause forking

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 2-9; prefers cooler seasons but adaptable across most climates

2a 2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b

Growth Stages

Seed Germination & Emergence

1-2 weeks

Seeds sprout within 7-10 days; seedlings emerge with cotyledons, gradually developing true leaves.

Keep soil moist during germination. Thin seedlings to proper spacing once true leaves appear. Each beet 'seed' is actually a seed cluster; thinning is essential.

Seedling & Early Growth

2-3 weeks

Young plants develop 4-6 true leaves; foliage is tender and bright green with prominent red/purple veining.

Maintain consistent moisture and provide full sun. Remove any remaining weak seedlings. Begin light fertilization if soil is poor.

Vegetative Growth & Root Development

3-4 weeks

Leaves expand rapidly and roots begin swelling underground; the plant develops a bushy canopy with deep green foliage.

Maintain regular watering and remove weeds. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers which promote excessive leaf growth at the expense of roots. Side dress with balanced fertilizer if needed.

Root Expansion & Maturation

2-3 weeks

Roots enlarge to 2-3 inches diameter; the characteristic candy-striped pattern becomes visible just at soil surface. Beet shoulders may protrude slightly above soil.

Continue consistent watering. Hill soil around exposed roots if desired to prevent greening. Reduce watering slightly in final week before harvest to concentrate sugars.

Harvest Readiness

Ready to harvest

Roots reach market size (1.5-3 inches diameter); striping is fully developed and vibrant. Greens remain fresh and tender or can be more mature depending on intended use.

Check root size by gently clearing soil around the top. Harvest when desired size is reached; smaller roots (tennis ball-sized) are more tender. Can leave mature roots in ground for continued storage if soil doesn't freeze.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Dill garlic lettuce chard spinach onions kale bush beans

Avoid planting near:

Pole beans Swiss chard (excessive competition) fennel

Common Pests

Use row covers on young plants, apply neem oil or pyrethrin spray; diatomaceous earth on foliage
Strong water spray to dislodge, insecticidal soap, neem oil, encourage beneficial insects
Remove affected leaves, use row covers, spinosad spray if needed
Hand-pick affected leaves, apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), neem oil
and (fungal)
Ensure excellent drainage, avoid overwatering, use sterile seed-starting mix, improve air circulation

Uses

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Raw & Cooked Beets

Culinary

Candy Stripe beets are exceptional raw in salads where their striking rings provide visual appeal and mild, sweet flavor. They can also be roasted, boiled, steamed, or pickled, maintaining their beautiful color and tender texture. [source]

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Beet Greens Preparation

Culinary

The nutrient-dense greens are tender and delicious when young, excellent steamed, sautéed, or added to salads. They contain oxalic acid but are a rich source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. [source]

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Cardiovascular Support

Medicinal

Beets are renowned for their nitrate content, which supports healthy blood pressure and circulation. Candy Stripe beets retain these beneficial compounds and have traditionally been used in folk medicine for vitality. [source]

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Natural Food Coloring

Household

The vibrant red/pink pigments (betalains) can be extracted to create natural food dyes and colorants for baking, smoothies, and culinary presentations. [source]

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Botanical Art & Display

Craft

The striking candy-striped cross-section makes these beets stunning for food photography, farm-to-table presentations, and botanical illustration due to their ornamental appearance. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Harvest when roots are 1.5-3 inches in diameter (approximately 55-70 days). Smaller roots are more tender and sweet. Gently loosen soil and pull plants up, or use a garden fork to avoid bruising. Cut greens 2-3 inches above the root and use separately. Roots store well in cool, humid conditions (32-40°F, 90-95% humidity) for 4-5 months in a root cellar or refrigerator.

Fun Facts

🌱 Candy Stripe is an heirloom beet variety dating back to the 1800s, originally from Italy, and was nearly lost to commercial agriculture before seed savers preserved it.
🌱 The concentric rings are created by alternating layers of pigment-rich (betalain) and pigment-poor tissue that develop as the root grows—slicing at different angles reveals different ring patterns.
🌱 A single beet seed is actually a seed cluster containing 2-4 individual seeds, which is why thinning is essential; this trait is common to all beets and is called 'monogerm' or 'polygerm' depending on variety.

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