Growing Rhubarb

Rheum rhabarbarum : Polygonaceae / the dock family

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

Not recommended for growing in Australia - tropical regions

  • Easy to grow. Plant pieces of rhizome or roots 8 - 10 cm (3 - 4 in.) deep. Best planted at soil temperatures between 5°C and 20°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 90 cm 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

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24 Nov 20, Charmaine (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Is rhubarb ready to eat when the stalks are still green? Our plant is a few months old.
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25 Nov 20, (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
There green varieties and red ones, you probably have the green.
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12 Oct 20, Melanie Taylor (Australia - temperate climate)
Just wondering if it is possible to grow rhubarb in a large container, we have downsized and are short on space? TIA
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13 Oct 20, Marshall (USA - Zone 10a climate)
Hi, Rhubarb does great in containers. I've had one for years as an ornamental.
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13 Oct 20, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
You could do it. It would take a lot of looking after. A suggestion, buy a 200lt drum, cut it in half, put some holes in the bottom for drainage. Plastic 200lt drum on Facebook - market place.
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01 Oct 20, martin (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Where can I buy rhubarb plants?
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05 Oct 20, Nick Baxendale (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Hi Martin There is a company in the Cape called seeds for Africa, they sell the seeds. Cheers Nick
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02 Oct 20, (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Google where to buy rhubarb in S A.
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25 Sep 20, Nkreen (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Best planting option soil sun and watering please. Desperate to get a plant growing healthy for rhubarb crumble
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27 Sep 20, (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Start with good rich soil, 6-8 hrs sunlight a day, and water 3 times a week. Read the notes here first.
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Showing 121 - 130 of 639 comments
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I am growing Victoria rhubarb in three-gallon nursery pots in North Georgia. I started the plants (small roots) this spring in a sunny area during cool weather, but moved them into partial to full shade as the heat increased. The soil in the pots is a loamy sand mixed half and half with compost. I water daily, about a quart of water per plant. I top dress each pot with about a teaspoon of granular 13-13-13 fertilizer whenever I notice growth slowing down, roughly once a month.. So far, it has handled temperatures up to 95 F with no problems. My plants are huge, about 3.5 feet across with long thick stems. One thing I have noticed! is the stems are mostly green, not red, this could be due to the shade, or possibly heat. They still taste great in strawberry rhubarb pie, though I'm harvesting very little this first year, hoping for the plants being larger and stronger next year. As a precaution against disease, any leaves and stems that are starting to yellow with age I pull off of the plant and compost them.

- Catt Mandu

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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.
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