Growing Rhubarb

Rheum rhabarbarum : Polygonaceae / the dock family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
      P                

(Best months for growing Rhubarb in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • P = Plant crowns
  • Easy to grow. Plant pieces of rhizome or roots 8 - 10 cm (3 - 4 in.) deep. Best planted at soil temperatures between 41°F and 68°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 35 inches apart
  • Harvest in approximately 1 years. You will have a stronger plant if you leave it for about a year before using..
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Brassicas (Cabbage, Broccoli, Cauliflower, etc)

Your comments and tips

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for USA | for all countries
16 Jan 16, James Watson (Australia - temperate climate)
What is a good fertilizer for rhurbarb I can get lots of horse manure is it any good?
Reply or Post a new comment
22 Apr 16, Tempest (Australia - temperate climate)
I got taught to use well rotted chook manure. Not sure about others - as long as it's high in nitrogen, I reckon you'll be fine!
Reply or Post a new comment
11 Feb 16, Val Burns (Australia - temperate climate)
I use horse manure and its fine some people poo poo it but we have plenty so that's what we use, not fresh aged is best.
Reply or Post a new comment
18 Jan 16, Stuart Carlin (Australia - temperate climate)
Used to grow around hen run in NZ but when in Victoria all Rhubarb got eaten by earwigs then in SW WA got eaten by slaters.
Reply or Post a new comment
09 Jan 16, Jan Eigenhuis (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
Bought a few small rhubarb plants from Montana Nelspruit nursery a couple of months ago. Plants are struggling to survive in our high compost vegetable box. Too much sun? Temperatures too high? HELP!
Reply or Post a new comment
17 Mar 16, Bee-Pie (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Yes. Rhubarb is a cold climate loving plant. Everybody in my village lost theirs during this drought. Mine are thriving as I've planted in the cold shady corner of of our garage. :-)
Reply or Post a new comment
10 Jan 16, Gaby (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Rhubarb loves water and manure. In summer it can go a bit dormant if it is under watered. Try using some seaweed based liquid feed once a week until the plant settles in.
Reply or Post a new comment
28 Dec 15, (Australia - temperate climate)
My sister in Whangarei New Zealand has great Rhubarb in her garden. She uses a split peice of pvc pipe around the stalks to make them grow longer. About 30 cms or more long.
Reply or Post a new comment
26 Dec 15, James (Australia - tropical climate)
What would be the best rhubarb to grow in Townsville? as it is not a cool climate and can get very hot. Would I be able to buy plants up here I have looked around but have not seen any.
Reply or Post a new comment
11 Jun 18, Debra Farrell (Australia - tropical climate)
what rhubarb is suitable to grow in Townsville
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 421 - 430 of 637 comments
See comments for all plants

Ask a question or post a comment or advice about Rhubarb

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.