Growing Rhubarb

Rheum rhabarbarum : Polygonaceae / the dock family

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

Not recommended for growing in Australia - tropical regions

  • 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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23 Mar 23, (USA - Zone 10b climate)
I read that kangarhu rhubarb is good for zone 9B. They are heat tolerant I'm going to try one.
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09 Jun 24, Anonymous (USA - Zone 9a climate)
Did you actually try to grow KangaRhu? I love rhubarb but don’t want to waste my $$ if you had any advice. I’m in 9a. Thanks in any help.
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23 Mar 23, (USA - Zone 5b climate)
When can I plant rhubarb plants outside in zone five I grew them from seed inside my house?
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15 Mar 23, Peter McDougal (United Kingdom - cool/temperate climate)
Why does my Rhubarb taste earthy
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05 Mar 23, Steve Gollis (USA - Zone 12b climate)
Any varieties that will grow in Zone 12? I wouldn't mind trying one of the Zone 8 varieties, but I think I would have to harvest it the first year because it looks like it won't be happy without some cold. Any advice will be helpful, I miss my rhubarb dishes and it's like pulling teeth to get the stores to stock it! Thanks!
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06 Mar 23, Anonymous (USA - Zone 12b climate)
They don't recommend planting it in your climate zone.
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19 Feb 23, Rebecca (USA - Zone 8b climate)
Advice on planting Victoria rhubarb in pots.
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20 Feb 23, Anonymous (USA - Zone 8b climate)
Read the notes here or google how to grow it.
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19 Feb 23, Tony (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
What is the best way to havest rhubarb
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29 Apr 23, Celeste Archer (Canada - Zone 7a Mild Temperate climate)
I find the best way to harvest rhubarb is: hold the stalk (flat hand) close to the ground (about 3/4 of the way down) -- push the stalk sideways and backwards (45 degree angle out away from the plant) -- once you hear the snap, grab the stalk twist and pull simultaneously.
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Showing 31 - 40 of 632 comments
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I have tried to grow rhubarb here in the tropics without success but when I bought the first plant it was supposed to be the red one (looks better when cooked) but turned out green, it died! Recently I bought a red one from Bunnings in Cairns to try again and this one is a red one but doing very poorly. I can't understand why nurseries sell plants if they don't do well in a region that they won't grow in.. Oh and to buy stalks from Coles I paid $6 for 6 stems!!

- Lorraine Phillips

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