VegetableBeet
MacGregor’s Favorite Beet
Table Beet
Macgregor's Favorite Beet is a Scottish heirloom bunching variety that dates back roughly 150 years, prized for its stunning dark red to magenta purple foliage that works equally well as an ornamental accent or edible crop. This open-pollinated annual matures in 50 to 59 days and grows to 12 to 15 inches tall, thriving across hardiness zones 2 through 10 with moderate water and full sun. Its compact size and striking appearance make it exceptional for edible landscaping, home gardens, and even large containers.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
2-10
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam
Preferred Temp60-75°F
Growth Stats
15 in
Height
—
Width
2 in
Spacing
50–59
Days to Harvest
PeriodBiennial
TypeRoot Crop
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
2-10
Size
15in H x ?in W
Growth
Biennial
Care
Moderate
Hover over chart points for details
Highlights
The dark red to magenta purple leaves are strikingly beautiful, earning this variety a place in ornamental beds as much as vegetable gardens. It's a genuine heirloom with deep Scottish roots, carrying 150 years of seed-saving tradition into your garden. The compact bunching habit and rapid 50 to 59 day maturity mean you can harvest tender greens and roots relatively quickly, while its frost tolerance extends the season at both ends.
Common Uses
Macgregor's Favorite Beet serves double duty in the kitchen and the garden. The deep purple leaves are tender and flavorful when harvested young, excellent for salads or lightly cooked as greens. The roots themselves develop into full-sized beets suitable for roasting, pickling, or grating raw into slaws. Its ornamental appeal makes it particularly valuable for edible landscaping schemes where beauty matters as much as yield.
Growing Timeline
First Bloom
Does Not Produce Flowers Unless Overwintered In Year Two
First Harvest
Early Summer
Last Harvest
Mid-fall
Care Instructions
Direct Sow
Direct sow Macgregor's Favorite Beet seeds outdoors when soil temperatures reach 50 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Sow at a depth of approximately 1/4 to 1/2 inch, spacing seeds 2 inches apart with 18 inches between rows. Water gently after sowing to settle the soil around the seed.
Harvesting
Begin harvesting the outer leaves once the plants are established, typically within 3 to 4 weeks of germination, pinching them off at the base to encourage continued growth. For the roots, wait until they reach 1 to 2 inches in diameter for tender, young beets, or allow them to grow larger if you prefer full-sized roots. The 50 to 59 day maturity window indicates when roots reach harvestable size; pull them gently when the soil is moist to avoid damaging the root. You can harvest leaves and roots at the same time or stagger harvests depending on whether you prioritize greens or roots.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Pests & Diseases
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Scientific Classification
Beta adanensis A. Pamukc. ex Aellen
Family
Amaranthaceae
Genus
Beta
Duration
Biennial
Growth Habit
Upright
Native Status
L48 (I)PR (I)
History & Origin
“Macgregor's Favorite Beet emerged in Scotland roughly 150 years ago, a variety that reflects the practicality and aesthetic sensibility of 19th-century Scottish gardeners who valued plants that served both the dinner table and the landscape. The variety's name itself suggests a personage or family connection, though the specific story of its origin has faded into the mist of seed-saving history. What survives is the seed itself, preserved by gardeners who recognized that a beet worth growing should feed the eye as well as the body. This open-pollinated heirloom has been maintained through careful seed saving across generations, a testament to its reliability and appeal.”