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 New Zealand - 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 New Zealand | for all countries
04 Feb 18, Charles Thompson (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have a Stratco planter box with no bottom and 30cm deep and standing on a partially shaded concrete slab. Will I be able to grow rhubarb in it under these conditions?
Reply or Post a new comment
05 Feb 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
30 cm of soil on a concrete slab - I wouldn't do it. The shallow soil would require a lot of attention with watering and the concrete slab - how does the excess water drain away.
Reply or Post a new comment
21 Jan 18, Leanne (Australia - temperate climate)
I have a rhubarb plant,it has been in a pot for approximately 12 months. The stalks start to turn a pinkish color but then they die. The weather here is quite hot in summer. What do i need to do for it
Reply or Post a new comment
22 Jan 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Try putting it where it gets part shade during the day and keep the water up to it. Good draining soil.
Reply or Post a new comment
15 Jan 18, kevin (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I planted my rhubarb crown in October and it has been doing really well till i hit it with some nitrosol now it has completely died did i do the wrong thing
Reply or Post a new comment
17 Jan 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I would say you hit it with too much fertiliser especially Nitrogen. They recommend 40 ml to 10 L of water - I would think that is for well established plants - cut it back to 10 ml or 20 ml for small plants. If you start will good fertile soil to start with then you don't need to fertilise again until they are well established - if at all.
Reply or Post a new comment
06 Jan 18, Shaybe (Australia - temperate climate)
I planted two rhubarb crowns in late winter 2017 and they are growing well. One plant has quite green stalks and the other is a lovely pinky red. Will the green one eventually go red?
Reply or Post a new comment
09 Jan 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Maybe different varieties or one more mature than the other. Time will tell.
Reply or Post a new comment
09 Jan 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
You may have two different varieties or one is more mature than the other. Time will tell.
Reply or Post a new comment
20 Dec 17, J. Bezuidenhout (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Where can I buy rhubarb plants in Johannesburg
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 251 - 260 of 635 comments
See comments for all plants

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.

- Laura Ellington

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 GardenGrow 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 GardenGrow and subscribe to the free GardenGrow planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About GardenGrow | 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. GardenGrow 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.