If you're growing Swiss chard from seed, It's pretty common to see your seedlings tipping or leaning over - especially when they're young.

If this is happening to you, don't worry.

Let's talk about a few things you can do when your Swiss chard seedlings are falling over...

Why Do Chard Seedlings Tip Over?

Why do Chard seedlings tip over, anyway?

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A few things cause this, so you'll need to diagnose what the issue is in order to correct it.

Check out each of the possible causes listed here, and consider which one might be affecting your chard seedlings:

Not Enough Light

Chard generally tolerates more heat and more light than some of its cousins in the Amaranthaceae family - like spinach and beets.

Did You Know?

Chard and beets are actually different cultivars of the same species. Both chard and beets are the species Beta vulgaris. Chard was selected for larger and more hearty leaves, while beets were selected for larger roots.

I've seen Swiss chard tolerate upwards of 100F in the desert in early-summer, long after spinach and beets are done for the season.

Keep this in mind when you choose a light source for your chard seedlings.

They don't just tolerate more light, they really appreciate it!

This can be a huge help in preventing leggy seedlings, and indirect windowlight may not be enough to prevent a leggy stretch & lean.



swiss chard sprouts tipping over in seedling tray
The indomitable Swiss chard lean rears its head!

Consider a strong supplemental grow light if you're starting your chard indoors as a way to ensure they get enough light for a great start.

I often worried that I'd burn them if my grow lights were too close or the power turned up too high, but it's become apparent to me that the answer for Swiss chard is usually more light.

swiss chard and kale growing in planter
Swiss chard will right itself eventually as it grows

Early season chard transplants outdoors can also suffer from the lack of light.

Consider waiting a bit longer in the season than you would for spinach, until it's warmer and the sun is more intense. Your chard will thank you!

Chard's Growth Habit

Chard has a growth habit which allows for it to tip over and continue to thrive. This does not seem to hinder growth of the plant.

swiss chard seedlings micro soil blocks bright lights variety
Chard has a floppy growth habit, but will right itself eventually

Shallow Seeds

Chard seeds are fairly large, which means they'll tolerate being planted more deeply than many smaller seeds.

If your Swiss chard is lanky and tips over after sprouting, consider planting your seeds more deeply to prevent this.

Did You Know?

Chard seeds are actually whole clusters of seeds. That's right! Each cluster can produce more than one plant, just like beets.

Loose Soil

If your seed-starting soil mix is loose, dry, or crumbly it may not provide enough support for chard to firmly anchor into.

Consider the texture of your seed-starting mix, and adding more compost to help bind it together.

If you're using garden soil for seed-starting, consider buying or making a proper seed-starting mix for improved seedling performance.

Final Thoughts...

If your chard seedlings tip over - don't worry!

Try to give them more light, planting them deeper, or using denser soil. Ultimately, though, they should be able to thrive and do just fine even after tipping over.