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

19 Jan 12, rob (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Max the green stalks are better less bitter and needs less sugar when cooking Rob
17 Feb 12, Daniel (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
According to Peter Cundall, there are green-stemmed and red-stemmed varieties of rhubarb.
11 Mar 12, Johno (Australia - temperate climate)
My plants are the green stem variety also but i prefer the red stem better i find they have nicer taste when stewed is there something i can do to promote more redness in the storks ?
20 Mar 12, Fred Merbein (Australia - tropical climate)
I live near Mildura Victoria can I grow rhubarb in this hot climate with ease
09 Apr 12, (Australia - temperate climate)
Why are my rhubarb stalks not getting fat, I have tried cooking them (thin) but they are tough and don't cook no matter how long i stew them
08 Jun 12, Peter (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Where can roots be purchased around Brisbane
17 Jul 12, maree (Australia - temperate climate)
The leaves on my rubbarb turn brown and the stem is soft. Why!!!!!!!!!!!!!
19 Jul 12, adam (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi Maree. The only thing I can think of is that the rhubarb has had too much water. It does like to be watered, but must be free draining. If it gets a bucketing down rainstorm, over a few days, like Melbourne had recently, it can just rot in the ground.
21 Jul 12, mary (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
How long will it take my small rhubarb seedlings to grow big enough to be able to use the stalks.
30 Jul 12, Peter (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, looking for cause of Rhubarb leaves turning brown. Live on south coast NSW. Regards, Peter
Showing 31 - 40 of 627 comments

Hi, I am concerned that my rhubarb is very prolific (leaves and stalks) however it has not turned red - it remains green. The name on it is "rhubarb - tasmanian grown". Looking forward to hearing from someone. Thx....Lesley

- Lesley

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.