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 Australia - cool/mountain 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 Australia | for all countries
26 Aug 14, mary luscombe (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
What is needed to strengthen rhubarb shoots which have all gone spindly and weak
Reply or Post a new comment
30 Jul 14, Graham (Australia - temperate climate)
Can rhubarb be grown in shade?
Reply or Post a new comment
12 Aug 14, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
They like morning sun, but will grow ok in light shade. The best place is with morning sun and afternoon shade.
Reply or Post a new comment
26 Jul 14, norma (Australia - temperate climate)
what fertilizer do you recommend to keep the rhubarb red. I bought a plant that was red but it turned green
Reply or Post a new comment
17 Jun 14, Ruth (Australia - temperate climate)
The stems on our plants are very short and the leaves are huge, How can we correct this.
Reply or Post a new comment
15 Jun 14, david (Australia - temperate climate)
can you grow rhubarb in a garbage tin size pot?
Reply or Post a new comment
09 Jun 14, Tony (Australia - temperate climate)
I was given a couple of plants and am on sandy soil (like beach sand). I have had a great crop by using dynamic lifter in the hole and spread around the plant. BTW, I like the thicker stalks for flavour and textrure.
Reply or Post a new comment
19 May 14, Kylie (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Can rhubarb be grown in sandy soils, in beachside suburbs?.
Reply or Post a new comment
21 Apr 14, ian (Australia - temperate climate)
What happens to the plant if you only harvest the real big stalks on the bush in the first year?I have a bush that has very healthy and large stems in the centre of the bush.
Reply or Post a new comment
04 May 14, Stewart (Australia - temperate climate)
That should be fine Ian. The main idea is to keep enough foliage on the plant so as to keep up good continuous growth. Taking the odd big stem now and then should not effect this.
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 361 - 370 of 474 comments
See comments for all plants

It's okay to plant rhubarb now. Rhubarb often dies back in the winter in cooler areas. It doesn't like a hot position so plant it so that it gets shelter from the afternoon heat if necessary. Rhubarb is a 'gross' feeder which means it likes lots of manure and water to give the best results. A couple of handfuls of Blood & Bone, a shovel full of old manure or a handful of pelletised manure placed in the bottom of the planting hole and covered with a layer of soil before planting will give good results. Most rhubarb that is sold is grown from seed and the resulting stem colour can range from all green to a good red. The flavour will still be the same. To redden it up when cooking add a few drops of cochineal (a natural red colouring) while it is cooking. To avoid adding sugar try using Stevia which is available at many shops. Stevia is a non calorie extract from the Stevia plant and is much better for you. All the best.

- John

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.