Growing Rhubarb

Rheum rhabarbarum : Polygonaceae / the dock family

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

(Best months for growing Rhubarb in South Africa - Summer rainfall 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 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 Dec 19, (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
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30 Dec 19, anon (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Work out your climate zone then go to Rhubarb and set your climate, then check when to plant.
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17 Nov 19, Roy van Deemter (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
My rhubarb is about ten years old. The plant has never been higher than 10 cm's with one or two leaves the size of a normal hand. Every year I leave it thinking next year it will grow better. Unfortunately it does not happen. What can be my problem?
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18 Nov 19, Another gardener (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Rhubarb grows for about 10 years. If you have had poor crops from it I would think you haven't looked after it very well. Plants are like us, they need feed - fertilising and watering. Maybe time to plant some fresh new ones. Prepare the soil well before planting and in a new position.
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15 Feb 19, TOMMY (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
please advise where i can buy rhubarb crowns for planting this year, what is best type for western cape conditions,what quantities would you suggest for home produce market sales in two years time
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27 Oct 19, Nadine (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
I found rhubarb in Riebeek West nursery and in Wellington nursery next to the Perfect place. I think it was ringard Victoria. If it's sold in local nurseries I believe they'll be fine in our climate. Mine has been growing for a few weeks now, transplanted in a shade net house and still doing good
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25 Oct 18, Tina (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Can I grow rhubarb in containers, how big must the pot be? I have tried it before, the plant died! Thank you.
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11 Jun 18, I Cumming (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
I have moved to Waterfall in K ZN I have had very little success Previously I lived in ,Ekurhuleni (Edenvale) for many years where we had great success for over 40 years. The plants are attacked a by a voracious bug which looks like a bee. What can I do to eradicate this bug that feeds on the leaves which causes the plant to die and the tubers to rot. is the climate too hot or too wet. My son lives close to Ascot in England and has success with his Rhubarb George
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20 Dec 17, J. Bezuidenhout (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Where can I buy rhubarb plants in Johannesburg
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26 Dec 17, Astrid (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
I saw some recently at Colourful Splendour Nursery in the Craighall Park area. It was the “Victoria” variety. Any Garden Shop should also be able to source for you - they get their stock from Doonholm nursery under the brand Healthy Living Herbs.
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Showing 31 - 40 of 63 comments
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I am from East Washington but moved to Texas. Rhubarb is one of my favorite things and when I was growing up in my Washington hometown, my grandma had a huge, really old rhubarb plant that had been producing stalks since before I was born. And I would just pull a stalk out of the ground, wash off with her hose, and snack on whenever I felt like it. Well, I married a military man, and he got stationed in San Antonio and then he got offered a civilian job here, so we are now here to stay. I would really like to grow rhubarb in my garden, especially because I can't even find it here in the store (and the only two times I have found it fresh in the store, the cashiers didn't even know what it was. I kid you not. That's how rare rhubarb is here, so uncommon that the locals don't even know what it looks like as a fresh vegetable). Anyway, does anyone know how I might grow rhubarb here in my new climate? I really miss it. Thanks!

- Washingtonian in Texas

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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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