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

28 Dec 21, Mary (Australia - temperate climate)
You have to buy the red variety. It's not like the hydrangea you manipulate the colour :)
26 Dec 21, Michael Barke (New Zealand - temperate climate)
If you are looking for a good vibrant red variety, try a variety called (??)
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.
09 Nov 21, ROBIN KINROSS (Australia - temperate climate)
We live in Melbourne. Where can we buy a rhubarb forcer? Thanks
10 Nov 21, (Australia - temperate climate)
plant asap
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.
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.
10 Nov 21, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Buy some sand or sandy loam soil and mix into your soil and compost.
10 Sep 21, Helen (USA - Zone 10a climate)
Does rhubarb have to be out of sun lite? Can it grow here in San Diego?
14 Sep 21, (USA - Zone 5a climate)
Most plants need lots of sunlight. Check what Climate Zone San Diego is in the climate zone section here and look it up if you can grow it.
Showing 81 - 90 of 638 comments

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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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