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

27 Oct 16, Tempest (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Monica, Given you're in an Australian temperate climate, I'm guessing you've had the same cold wet weather as the rest of us. I believe it's the cold temperatures that are causing the leaves to go yellow. Just pull off the yellow leaves and let the plant put its energy into new leaf stalks. Any fertiliser that is high in nitrogen is fine. I like to use well-rotted chicken manure, Rooster Booster (pelletised chicken manure) or even dynamic lifter. But even compost is just as fine to use. Nitrogen is what encourages leafy growth, so it's perfect for rhubarbs as it's the leaf stalks we want. I've read that it's nearly impossible to overfeed a rhubarb, as they are quite heavy feeders.
13 Oct 16, Marie (Australia - tropical climate)
I live in Brisbane an have tried several spots in my small garden to grow Rhurarb. What can I put in an around my plants to give them a good start.
16 Nov 16, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Rhubarb is a 'gross' feeder. that is it likes plenty of rotted manure and water but not waterlogging. pile on the manure and mulch and you will get results!
22 Sep 16, Janeen (Australia - temperate climate)
My rhubarb has healthy leaves but very short stems. How can I encourage the stems to grow much longer?
10 Jun 17, Paul Ryan (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I planted new Rhubarb in the ground and used old poultry manure to feed them, it took two seasons for the plants to grow large stems. If you have new plants it will take a few seasons for them to do much better. Water daily and good luck
08 Sep 16, kathy (Australia - temperate climate)
is it best to snap the stems of or snip them
27 Oct 16, Tempest (Australia - temperate climate)
Pull them off at the base of the stalk. If you cut them, it leaves an open 'wound' for disease to get into the rhubarb plant.
04 Sep 16, Greig Thomas (Australia - temperate climate)
We have rhubarb growing but the stems are large but still green how long before the turn pink so we can pick them?
16 Nov 16, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Hello Greig, AS a lot of rhubarb is grown from seed it can be very variable in stem colour. I understand greenish stems are just as flavourful but less appealing. put a little bit of cochineal (red food colouring) or raspberry cordial in the pot when you are cooking it to enhance the appearance. trust this helps.
09 Sep 16, Polly J (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
There is a variety of rhubarb that has green stems and it actually is milder than the red stem variety. So pick and enjoy.
Showing 371 - 380 of 638 comments

Give them time - also there is a red and a green variety. Check which one you have, if you can by googling.

- Anonymous

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.