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A Ruby Queen beet with a smooth, round deep-red root and green tops in a sunny garden.

How to Grow Ruby Queen Beets From Seed

By Maxim Kaufman — Founder & CEO, Organo Republic

Updated July 2026

Ruby Queen is one of those heirloom beets that earns its reputation the moment you slice one open. The roots come out smooth, round, and a deep glossy red, with flesh that stays tender and remarkably sweet. It is an award-winning canning and table favorite, so it holds up beautifully whether you are pickling a batch or roasting a tray for dinner. This non-GMO variety is easy to direct sow and forgiving for new gardeners, which makes it a reliable pick for your first beet patch.

This is the quick guide to Ruby Queen. For the full step-by-step on starting seeds, sowing, feeding, and troubleshooting beets, see our complete guide to growing beets from seed.

Quick start

Direct sow Ruby Queen seeds about half an inch deep once the soil can be worked in spring, and sow again in mid to late summer for a fall crop. Because each wrinkled seed is really a cluster, thin the seedlings to 3 to 4 inches apart so every root has room to size up. Plan on roughly 55 days to maturity, watering evenly the whole way. Harvest when the shoulders reach 1.5 to 3 inches across for the sweetest, most tender roots.

Best tip

Keep the soil consistently moist and never let it crust over, since dry spells make beets woody and tough. In hot southern regions like Texas and Florida, sow in early spring or fall to dodge summer heat, while gardeners in the upper Midwest and New England can plant from late spring right through midsummer for a steady supply.

At a glance

How to Grow Ruby Queen Beets From Seed — growing specifications at a glance
Botanical name	Beta vulgaris
Plant type	Cool-season biennial grown as an annual
USDA zones	2 to 11 (grown as an annual)
Sun	Full sun to part shade (6+ hours)
Days to maturity	~55 days
Height	10 to 14 inches
Spacing	3 to 4 inches apart
Water	Even and consistent; about 1 inch a week

Uses

Ruby Queen is a canning and pickling classic, keeping its deep color and sweet flavor through the jar. Roast or boil the roots for salads and sides, or shred them raw into slaws. Do not toss the tops either, since the young greens are tender and delicious sauteed or added to soups.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Ruby Queen beet take to mature?

Ruby Queen is a quick variety, usually ready in about 55 days from sowing. You can begin pulling roots a little earlier as baby beets, or leave them to size up fully.

What does a Ruby Queen beet look and taste like?

Ruby Queen produces smooth, round roots with a deep-red interior and tender flesh. The flavor is notably sweet and mild, which is why it is a favorite for both fresh eating and canning.

What is Ruby Queen beet best used for?

Ruby Queen is an award-winning canning and table beet, prized for its smooth skin and sweet flavor. It holds its color and texture well, so it shines pickled, canned, roasted, or boiled, and the young greens are great in the kitchen too.

Any growing tip for the best Ruby Queen beets?

Thin seedlings to 3 to 4 inches apart once they are a couple inches tall, since each wrinkled seed is actually a cluster. Crowded beets stay small, so giving each root room is the single biggest step toward large, smooth Ruby Queen roots.

Ready to grow your own? Ruby Queen rewards you with smooth, sweet, deep-red roots that are perfect for canning and the dinner table alike. For the full step-by-step, see our complete beet growing guide linked at the top of this page.

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By Maxim Kaufman — Founder & CEO, Organo Republic

Maxim founded Organo Republic in 2017 and personally selects, tests, and grows the heirloom, non-GMO varieties the company offers. Under his leadership, Organo Republic was named Agri Business Review’s Top Non-GMO Seed Variety Solution 2026.