Black-Eyed Susan vs Swiss Chard

Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?

Black-Eyed Susan

Rudbeckia hirta

Asteraceae · flowers

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Swiss Chard

Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris

Amaranthaceae · vegetables

EdibleLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Black-Eyed Susan (Zones 3-9)

Swiss Chard (Zones 2-11)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 3–9

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Black-Eyed Susan	Swiss Chard
Scientific Name	Rudbeckia hirta	Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris
Family	Asteraceae	Amaranthaceae
Category	flowers	vegetables
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Rich, Well-drained
Height	3'	2'
Spread	1' 6"	1'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Spring-Fall
Bloom Color	Yellow	Green (insignificant)
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Eastern North America	Mediterranean
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Black-Eyed Susan

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Swiss Chard

Yes — EdibleNo — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Black-Eyed Susan

✓Deadhead spent blooms to encourage reblooming.
✓Divide clumps every 3-4 years.
✓Tolerates poor soil and drought once established.

Swiss Chard

✓Direct sow or transplant.
✓Harvest outer leaves for continuous production.
✓Tolerates light frost and summer heat.
✓'Bright Lights' mix provides rainbow-colored stems.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Black-Eyed Susan if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 3–9.

Choose Swiss Chard if you want a low-maintenance plant. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 2–11.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 3–9. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

View Black-Eyed SusanProfile →View Swiss ChardProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Black-Eyed Susan and Swiss Chard grow in the same hardiness zone?

Black-Eyed Susan grows in USDA zones 3-9, while Swiss Chard grows in zones 2-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 3 through 9.

Do Black-Eyed Susan and Swiss Chard have the same sun and water needs?

Black-Eyed Susan needs full sun and medium water, while Swiss Chard needs full sun to part shade and medium water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Black-Eyed Susan or Swiss Chard?

Black-Eyed Susan grows taller at 3' compared to Swiss Chard at 2'. Black-Eyed Susan spreads 1' 6" while Swiss Chard spreads 1'.

Are Black-Eyed Susan and Swiss Chard deer resistant?

Black-Eyed Susan is deer resistant, but Swiss Chard is not. If deer are a concern, Black-Eyed Susan is the better choice, or protect Swiss Chard with fencing.

Which is easier to maintain, Black-Eyed Susan or Swiss Chard?

Both Black-Eyed Susan and Swiss Chard have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.

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Detailed Comparison

Feature	Black-Eyed Susan	Swiss Chard
Scientific Name	Rudbeckia hirta	Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris
Family	Asteraceae	Amaranthaceae
Category	flowers	vegetables
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Rich, Well-drained
Height	3'	2'
Spread	1' 6"	1'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Spring-Fall
Bloom Color	Yellow	Green (insignificant)
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Eastern North America	Mediterranean
Maintenance	Low	Low

Care Tips

Black-Eyed Susan

✓Deadhead spent blooms to encourage reblooming.
✓Divide clumps every 3-4 years.
✓Tolerates poor soil and drought once established.

Swiss Chard

✓Direct sow or transplant.
✓Harvest outer leaves for continuous production.
✓Tolerates light frost and summer heat.
✓'Bright Lights' mix provides rainbow-colored stems.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Black-Eyed Susan if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 3–9.

Choose Swiss Chard if you want a low-maintenance plant. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 2–11.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 3–9. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Black-Eyed Susan and Swiss Chard grow in the same hardiness zone?

Black-Eyed Susan grows in USDA zones 3-9, while Swiss Chard grows in zones 2-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 3 through 9.

Do Black-Eyed Susan and Swiss Chard have the same sun and water needs?

Black-Eyed Susan needs full sun and medium water, while Swiss Chard needs full sun to part shade and medium water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Black-Eyed Susan or Swiss Chard?

Black-Eyed Susan grows taller at 3' compared to Swiss Chard at 2'. Black-Eyed Susan spreads 1' 6" while Swiss Chard spreads 1'.

Are Black-Eyed Susan and Swiss Chard deer resistant?

Black-Eyed Susan is deer resistant, but Swiss Chard is not. If deer are a concern, Black-Eyed Susan is the better choice, or protect Swiss Chard with fencing.

Which is easier to maintain, Black-Eyed Susan or Swiss Chard?

Both Black-Eyed Susan and Swiss Chard have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.