Beets (Beta vulgaris) are a common garden vegetable, and the simple answer to whether they have seeds is yes. However, the structure typically planted and sold as a beet seed is not a single seed. This unique botanical feature results in a distinct planting and growing experience.
The Unique Structure of Beet Seeds
What is planted is a dried fruit structure botanists refer to as a multiple-germ cluster, often called a seed ball. This cluster forms when the beet flowers grow closely together and their fused petals harden to encase the developing fruits. The rough, wrinkled appearance of this “seed” distinguishes it from most other garden vegetable seeds.
Inside this hardened casing are typically two to five true seeds, or embryos, each capable of sprouting. This multi-germ nature significantly impacts the initial stages of beet cultivation.
How Beets Produce Seeds
Beets are classified as a biennial crop, requiring two growing seasons to complete their life cycle and produce viable seeds. During the first year, the plant develops the edible root and leaves, storing carbohydrates for reproduction. The root must reach maturity before the seed-producing phase begins.
In the second year, the plant enters its reproductive stage by bolting, where a tall flower stalk rapidly emerges from the root’s crown. This transition is triggered by cold temperatures, satisfying the plant’s need for vernalization. The inconspicuous flowers on this stalk lead to wind-pollination and the development of the characteristic multi-germ seed clusters. The clusters are ready for harvest once they turn brown and dry.
Planting the Multi-Germ Cluster
The multi-germ nature dictates that multiple seedlings (typically two to five) will emerge from a single planting spot. This dense emergence necessitates thinning to ensure the remaining beet roots have adequate space to grow to a usable size. Without thinning, crowded seedlings compete intensely for resources, resulting in small, underdeveloped roots.
Thinning is performed once seedlings reach about two inches in height, or when their true leaves have developed. Gardeners select the single strongest seedling from each cluster and snip the others at the soil line. As an alternative, specialized breeding has produced “monogerm” beet seeds, which contain only a single embryo per cluster. These varieties eliminate the need for thinning, making them a popular choice for commercial farming and home gardeners.