VegetableBeet
Beet
Bull's Blood beet is a striking open-pollinated variety that delivers both ornamental drama and culinary value in a compact package. Named for its deep crimson foliage and roots, this cultivar thrives in zones 2-10 and reaches harvest in 50-59 days, making it one of the faster beets to mature. The plant grows upright to 12-18 inches tall with a spread of 9-12 inches, fitting neatly into garden beds, containers, and cottage garden borders. Beyond the dark red roots prized for their sweet flavor, the leaves themselves are remarkably hard-textured and visually striking, earning a place in fresh salads where their deep color and subtle bitterness contrast beautifully with other greens.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
2-11
Sunlight
Partial Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam
Growth Stats
18 in
Height
12 in
Width
TypeUpright
Spacing
3
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Partial Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
2-11
Size
18in H x 12in W
Growth
—
Care
Low
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Highlights
The leaves of Bull's Blood are nutrient-dense enough to rival the roots themselves, with a texture and color intensity that makes them far more interesting than typical beet foliage. Unlike many beet varieties that sprawl and demand space, Bull's Blood grows upright and compact, slipping easily into containers, flowerbed edges, and tight garden corners. The speed to harvest, 50-59 days from seed, combined with its ability to thrive in zones 2 through 10 makes this a genuinely reliable choice across most of North America.
Common Uses
Bull's Blood serves double duty in the kitchen and garden. The roots are harvested young for their sweet, tender flesh and deep red color, suitable for roasting, boiling, or pickling. The foliage is equally valuable: the young leaves work fresh in salads where their color provides visual contrast and their slight bitterness adds complexity to milder greens. Some gardeners cultivate Bull's Blood specifically for the leaves alone, harvesting them at 33 days as a fast-growing salad green while leaving roots to develop.
Growing Timeline
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Care Instructions
Direct Sow
Sow seeds directly into the ground about 30 days prior to the last spring frost date in zones 3-7 for summer and fall harvest. In zones 8-10, sow in summer for winter harvest. Each seed cluster will produce 3-4 seedlings; thin as needed once seedlings emerge.
Harvesting
Harvest roots at 50-59 days when they reach usable size, typically 2-3 inches in diameter, though they can be left longer. Young leaves can be harvested as early as 33 days for salad use by snipping outer leaves without damaging the plant. For full root harvest, dig carefully to avoid bruising, and cut or twist the stems away from the roots. The roots store well in cool conditions, making this a practical choice for succession planting and season extension.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Pests & Diseases
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Bloom Time
Non-flowering
Scientific Classification
Beta vulgaris 'Bull's Blood'
Family
Amaranthaceae
Genus
Beta
Growth Habit
Upright
Native Status
L48 (I)PR (I)