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 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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18 Dec 21, david (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
how do I get the stalks to grow red. The plants are thriving and are fertilised with seasol and watered reguarly.
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28 Dec 21, Mary (Australia - temperate climate)
You have to buy the red variety. It's not like the hydrangea you manipulate the colour :)
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26 Dec 21, Michael Barke (New Zealand - temperate climate)
If you are looking for a good vibrant red variety, try a variety called (??)
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21 Dec 21, (Australia - temperate climate)
Give them time - also there is a red and a green variety. Check which one you have, if you can by googling.
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09 Nov 21, ROBIN KINROSS (Australia - temperate climate)
We live in Melbourne. Where can we buy a rhubarb forcer? Thanks
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10 Nov 21, (Australia - temperate climate)
plant asap
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06 Nov 21, Clara (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Don't plant it in plastic, they hate that. Use terracotta and it will do well. It likes the airflow. I have mine in a medium terracotta pot and it's loving it. You do have to feed and water it very regularly though in warm weather. It's not a set and forget situation potted up, needs some looking after. But does make a great display.
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06 Nov 21, Clara (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My guess is that your soil has too much clay content in it for rhubarb. It does this in heavy soil. I tried to grow it in the ground here, I have very rich, dark soil but it borders on high clay content. My plant suffered until I removed it and potted it up in large terracotta pot with light potting mix. Now it's doing brilliantly. The terracotta keeps the roots cool and stops the crown from rotting. But it has to be watered daily potted up like that as it wilts very easily. I ended up growing my rhubarb and strawberries in pots because they just didn't like the heavy soil. They are producing wonderfully now and make a nice display together. An alternative could be to add a lot of organic material to your soil and plant it into a built up mound for free draining situation.
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10 Nov 21, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Buy some sand or sandy loam soil and mix into your soil and compost.
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10 Sep 21, Helen (USA - Zone 10a climate)
Does rhubarb have to be out of sun lite? Can it grow here in San Diego?
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Showing 81 - 90 of 639 comments
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I love my rhubarb, Having come form New Zealand in the South we always enjoyed Rhubarb. I bought four plants last year as there were no crowns available.. I give them a lot of food and make sure they are watered correctly, not to heavily but don't let them dry out. I have been cutting the stalks, they have had, big leaves on them and it seems as they are maturing the stalks are getting bigger. Nothing better then Rhubarb sponge and Cream, Rhubarb Crumble and rhubarb tart with meringue on top. I will continue to keep them in the coolest area in the garden around the shady side of the shed and under the bamboo and bigger plants in the garden. I am in a unit in Maroochydore so limited with space. But so far it is going well. Enjoying ever dish. Try it. The trick is keep them well feed and mulched but back from the crowns a little so it doesn't rot. Best of luck.

- Valerie

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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.
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