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
09 Oct 22, Jen (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
It says to remove the flowerstalk but no mention why there is a flowerstalk.. I was suprised today to find a stalk at least a meter high?? WHY....???
Reply or Post a new comment
17 Oct 22, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Rhubarb produces a flowerstalk and flowers so that it can produce seed. all plants need to propagate. Rhubarb can be grown from seed, but first the seed has to be produced!
Reply or Post a new comment
10 Oct 22, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Best you google about it. Flowering is part of the life cycle of plants.
Reply or Post a new comment
01 Sep 22, Jack Hudson Hay (New Zealand - temperate climate)
How long is the life of a rhubarb plant
Reply or Post a new comment
05 Sep 22, Liz (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
We have a plant still going strong after 30 + years
Reply or Post a new comment
10 Aug 22, Anita ward (Australia - temperate climate)
Why does my rhubarb taste earthy. The plant is just one yr old.
Reply or Post a new comment
02 Jul 22, Faye Ramsden (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Where do you buy the rhizomes from in Western Australia Perth area? I have tried before to grow but with no success so going to try containers. Thank you. Faye
Reply or Post a new comment
05 Aug 22, Judy Josling (Australia - temperate climate)
Try the Diggers Club. They sell rhubarb and u can order online. They post plants anywhere.
Reply or Post a new comment
27 Jun 22, Meagan Messinbird (USA - Zone 4b climate)
Where can I buy rhubarb root to plant ?
Reply or Post a new comment
24 Feb 23, Trish (USA - Zone 7b climate)
Tractor supply has it , bags are $ 4.89.
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 51 - 60 of 636 comments
See comments for all plants

I live in Howick KZN. I grow rhubarb in deep pots on the north side of our house (probably too hot) in a compost/soil mix regularly watered. Our area has heavy clay about 200mm below the surface, hence the reason for the pots. Our rhubarb grows many thin stalks (5/8mm dia.) quite slowly and many die before getting above 5mm dia.. The picked stalks are tasty if one has sufficient of them. The plants are about three years old and grown from a split off from a crown. Does rhubarb favour any particular soil PH? More or less water? Any particular soil mix? Require any special feeding? What is ideal soil depth? Your guidance would be appreciated. Thank you.

- David L.

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.