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

10 Sep 21, Helen (USA - Zone 10a climate)
Does rhubarb have to be out of sun lite? Can it grow here in San Diego?
14 Sep 21, (USA - Zone 5a climate)
Most plants need lots of sunlight. Check what Climate Zone San Diego is in the climate zone section here and look it up if you can grow it.
18 May 21, LORI (USA - Zone 9a climate)
Can I grow rhubarb in zone 9A?
16 Sep 21, John Mitchell (USA - Zone 10a climate)
No it will not I have tried a couple times. Its to hot in the summer sorry.
02 May 21, Trish I. (USA - Zone 7b climate)
We have very recently (April) moved some rhubarb plants that originated from my FIL's family homestead many years ago, from Denver CO to SC. I desperately want to keep these alive, mostly for my husband. Any advice? Our ground is hard as a rock in most spots and has a lot of clay, so figured I need to keep them in pots. How big of a pot do I need, should I be sure to put them on the side of the house where there's mostly only morning sun, in order to continue the "family line", should I try and gather seeds from the plant for the following year? Thanks!
06 May 21, Laura Ellington (USA - Zone 8a climate)
you really are better off putting them in a raised garden bed with mixed clean top soil, lots of compost, peat moss, blood meal, and a slow release fertilizer. Rhubarb get very large and can live for many years and their root systems can get quite large, keeping them in pots will restrict their growth and you will have to water more often and continually use fertilizer more often then them being in the ground.
12 Jan 22, Liz O'Sullivan (USA - Zone 6b climate)
I just ordered rhubarb crowns and plan on planting in a raised bed. My concern is that the roots will be harmed in my 6b zone winter given they are in a raised bed. What do you recommend?
04 May 21, Anonymous (USA - Zone 7b climate)
I suggest you read some articles about growing them. The bigger the pot the better 18-24
28 Feb 21, PAUL Embury (USA - Zone 10b climate)
Can I successfully grow Rhubarb in Miami if I plant it in a pot to keep it out of the direct sun in the summer? What variety would grow best?
01 Mar 21, Anon (USA - Zone 10b climate)
In 10b zone it says here it won't grow. It is probably too hot.
Showing 31 - 40 of 56 comments

We have had good results using horse manure on rhubarb.

- Pat

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.