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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for South Africa | for all countries
14 May 15, yano govender (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
want to buy a Rhubarb plant i live in durban kzn in the phoenix area..heard so much about this stuff wanna taste it
Reply or Post a new comment
25 Aug 15, (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
I've just bought a plant from the nursery at Virgina Circle opp Checkers can't remember their name now.
Reply or Post a new comment
17 Nov 15, Annette Jackson (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Am growing rhubarb in Johannesburg in a sunny. Position is that why it has green stalks
Reply or Post a new comment
08 Dec 15, Jo (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Boiling rhubarb is an excellent way of cleaning a saucepan with absolutely no effort
Reply or Post a new comment
09 Jan 16, Jan Eigenhuis (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
Bought a few small rhubarb plants from Montana Nelspruit nursery a couple of months ago. Plants are struggling to survive in our high compost vegetable box. Too much sun? Temperatures too high? HELP!
Reply or Post a new comment
10 Jan 16, Gaby (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Rhubarb loves water and manure. In summer it can go a bit dormant if it is under watered. Try using some seaweed based liquid feed once a week until the plant settles in.
Reply or Post a new comment
17 Mar 16, Bee-Pie (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Yes. Rhubarb is a cold climate loving plant. Everybody in my village lost theirs during this drought. Mine are thriving as I've planted in the cold shady corner of of our garage. :-)
Reply or Post a new comment
26 Jan 16, Amanda (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
The best way of cooking rhubarb is to string it and then cut it into chunks, place it on a baking tray, sprinkle with sugar and bake bout 20min at 180. Lovely done with ginger as well!
Reply or Post a new comment
04 Apr 16, Celeste Olivier (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Where in Pretoria can I buy rhubarb plants?
Reply or Post a new comment
23 Nov 16, mary (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
hello, i am urgently looking for fresh ruhub, for my mother in law she is sick and she urgently need this vegetable.where can i buy cause Woolworths dont have in stock, i am in Laudium Pretoria and in Pretoria any shop that will stock this ruhub. thank you regards mary
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 11 - 20 of 62 comments
See comments for all plants

Do you know where nz can you buy terracotta rhubarb forcers Thanks Yvonne

- Yvonne Rule

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.