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
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!
Reply or Post a new comment
06 Mar 23, Anonymous (USA - Zone 12b climate)
They don't recommend planting it in your climate zone.
Reply or Post a new comment
19 Feb 23, Rebecca (USA - Zone 8b climate)
Advice on planting Victoria rhubarb in pots.
Reply or Post a new comment
20 Feb 23, Anonymous (USA - Zone 8b climate)
Read the notes here or google how to grow it.
Reply or Post a new comment
19 Feb 23, Tony (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
What is the best way to havest rhubarb
Reply or Post a new comment
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.
Reply or Post a new comment
19 Feb 23, Liz (Australia - temperate climate)
Hold the stem close to the ground and twist gently as you pull it up
Reply or Post a new comment
30 Jan 23, phil coppola (USA - Zone 7b climate)
What variety of rhubarb is best to grow as a perennial in zone 7. I tried rhubarb about 45 years ago and was unsuccessful. Reason being that the temperature in the winter wasn't cold enough in the winter and if you were to try to grow it you were required to expose the bulb (?roots) to a freeze. Are there new varieties that don't require that. Please advise.
Reply or Post a new comment
23 Jan 23, Graeme Horn (Australia - temperate climate)
What is eating my Rhubarb Leaves, nearly nothing left of leaf.
Reply or Post a new comment
12 Feb 23, Nat (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Possums? Put some netting over it!
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 41 - 50 of 638 comments
See comments for all plants

Ask a question or post a comment or advice about Rhubarb

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.