A seedling is a young plant developing from a seed, and its initial appearance can be very different from the mature plant it will become. Swiss Chard, classified as a member of the beet family, Beta vulgaris, is a leaf vegetable grown for its edible foliage and stalks. Correctly identifying these young plants is important for gardeners, as it prevents the accidental removal of the desired crop during early weed management. Recognizing the distinct features of the chard seedling ensures that the gardener nurtures the correct plant for a successful harvest.
The Appearance of the Cotyledon Leaves
The first leaves to emerge from the soil are the cotyledons, or seed leaves, which function primarily to store food reserves for the young plant. Swiss chard cotyledons appear thick, smooth, and fleshy, typically forming a pair of opposite leaves. Their shape is kidney-shaped or elongated oval, unlike the mature plant’s foliage. These initial leaves are mid-green, lacking the prominent veining and crinkled texture of adult leaves.
Cotyledons are temporary structures. They are often the target of small pests like flea beetles, which chew tiny holes into the leaves. These seed leaves will eventually yellow and fall off as the plant develops its specialized true leaves and begins to photosynthesize. The plant relies on the energy stored within these structures until it establishes a robust root system and true leaf production begins.
Developing the Characteristic True Leaves
The true leaves emerge from the center of the plant, nestled between the cotyledons. These leaves are the first to exhibit the distinctive characteristics of the mature plant, providing the definitive identification marker. The texture of these new leaves displays a puckered, crinkled, or savoyed surface, which is a hallmark of the chard variety.
True leaves develop a prominent midrib, and the leaf stalk, or petiole, starts to thicken. The coloration also begins to show variety-specific traits, such as deeper green blades and hints of red, yellow, or white in the developing petioles and veins. Cultivars like ‘Bright Lights’ will display this vibrant coloring early on. As these true leaves expand, they quickly overshadow the cotyledons and establish the plant’s characteristic rosette growth habit.
Distinguishing Swiss Chard Seedlings from Common Look-Alikes
Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris var. cicla) belongs to the same species as beets (Beta vulgaris var. crassa). The leaves of both plants have similar shapes and textures, making separation difficult until later growth, but chard typically develops narrower leaf blades and more prominent, often colorful, leaf stems earlier than beets. Beets focus energy on developing their underground storage root, while chard is selectively bred for large leaves and thick stalks.
The smooth, thick cotyledons of chard contrast sharply with the thinner, often pointed cotyledons of many common weeds like Lambsquarters (Chenopodium album). Once the true leaves emerge, the unique, crinkled texture and robust midrib of chard provide a reliable visual distinction from the smoother leaves of most garden weeds.