Chard originates from the Mediterranean and West Asia, where early forms emerged from wild beet species and were already used in ancient cultures. Through trade routes it later spread across Europe and other regions, giving rise over time to numerous local types. Its diversity includes both leaf and stem chard in many colours and shapes — from tender smooth or crinkled green leaves to vigorous broad‑stemmed varieties and colourful forms in white, yellow, orange, pink or deep red.

In subtropical climates, chard grows year‑round and even tolerates light frosts in winter. In temperate regions, many of our traditional and historically preserved open‑pollinated varieties also perform reliably, thriving both in warm periods and cooler phases while forming uniform leaves and strong stems. Chard shows remarkable ecological adaptability and can be cultivated successfully in many climate zones almost throughout the year.