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

12 Sep 20, Barbara Robinson (Australia - temperate climate)
I live in riverland where it can get very hot in summer in the 40 I have plant rhubarb plant in morning sun after shade. Do they need a lot of water, and fertiliser
21 Aug 20, Gary Couper (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Any tips for growing rhubarb in Brisbane?
06 Jun 22, Peter Burgess (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
How successful was your Brisbane rhubarb crop?
24 Aug 20, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Most of the info is in the notes here. Plant Sept, good draining soil, maybe a bit of shade if possible (it is a cool weather plant). Takes a few years to really establish. Probably give it a fertiliser hit early in the spring each year and during the picking season. Google how to grow it.
18 Aug 20, Anne (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
How should the rhubarb be kept over winter if kept in a pot? I believe they need the cold period. My young plant looked half dead until I put it in our warm light grow room for now, but I believe that wouldn't be a year round solution, is that right?
20 Aug 20, Anon (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Check online how to plant grow and harvest it.
19 Jul 20, sandra (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Should we feed the rhubarb we have in the garden with a fertilizer on a regular basis?
20 Jul 20, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Fertiliser during the growing season. Whatever you buy just follow the directions.
07 Jun 20, Wendy Synnott (Canada - Zone 3b Temperate Warm Summer climate)
I have 2 types of rhubarb growing well but it has little flavour. I’m wondering why so little flavour and what I should do to improve it.
16 May 20, Donna Johnson (USA - Zone 10b climate)
Will rhubarb grow in my zone if I plant in a container and if so which kind should I plant?
Showing 131 - 140 of 638 comments

I live in south central Tennessee and want to grow rhubarb. Can I do so as a perennial or do I have to treat it as an annual? And where is the best place to plant the crowns?

- Deborah Winquest

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.