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Planting and Growing Rhubarb

Botanical Name
Rheum rhabarbarum
Grown as
Perennial
USDA Zones
3a
3b
4a
4b
5a
5b
6a
6b
7a
7b
Toxicity
Toxic to Dogs and Cats
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Partial Sun
Water Needs
Moderate
Height
3-6 feet
Spread
3-6 feet
Soil pH
Acidic
Neutral
Special Features
Cut Flower
Low Maintenance
Attracts Pollinators
Deer-resistant
Rabbit-resistant
Resilience
Cold Hardy
Plant Type
Vegetables
Written By: Catherine Boeckmann Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

What grows for 10 years or more, suffers from almost no pests, and is refreshingly easy to care for? It’s rhubarb! This perennial vegetable has tart-flavored ruby or green stems used to make pies, crumbles, cakes, jams, and sauces. Learn how to plant, grow, and pick rhubarb correctly.

Rhubarb is easy to grow but needs a dormancy period to thrive and produce an abundance of huge stalks. Rhubarb does best where the average temperature falls below 40ºF (4°C) in the winter and below 75ºF (24°C) in the summer.

What’s lovely about rhubarb is that it’s a perennial: A healthy plant will remain productive for 10 years or more. For that reason, rhubarb should be planted in its own space in any corner of the garden where it can grow undisturbed. Rhubarb grows well in soil amended with plenty of well-rotted manure or compost; this has inspired some gardeners to plant it near their compost piles!

Planting

When to Plant Rhubarb

  • Rhubarb can be planted in late fall or early spring.
    • Plant rhubarb crowns after dormancy has set in in the fall, and you’ll have rhubarb cropping in the spring!
    • In spring, plant crowns when the soil is workable, when the roots are still dormant, and before growth begins (or as plants are just beginning to leaf out). If you have a temperature gauge, soil temperature should be 50°F minimum.

Spacing for Rhubarb

Where to Plant Rhubarb

Rhubarb grows best in full sun but will tolerate partial shade.

Choose a site with soil that is well-draining and fertile. Good drainage is essential, as rhubarb will rot if kept too wet. Mix compost, rotted manure, or anything high in organic matter into the soil. Rhubarb plants are heavy feeders and need this organic matter. Learn more about soil amendments and preparing soil for planting.

Rhubarb gets big! It can grow to 2 to 3 feet tall and wide. Make sure you choose a site where it won’t be crowded. 

How to Plant Rhubarb

  • Plant 1-year-old rhubarb crowns, which you can find at a garden center or nursery, or order online. Plants will be sold as bare-rooted specimens or young plants already growing in pots, ready for transplanting. (Rhubarb can be grown from seed, but this is not recommended.)
  • Before planting, eliminate all perennial weeds in the planting site.
  • Dig large, bushel-basket-size holes.
  • Space rhubarb plants about 2 to 4 feet apart and 3 to 4 feet between rows.
  • Plant crowns so the eyes are about 2 inches below the soil surface with buds facing up.
  • Water well at the time of planting.

Check out this video to learn more about how to plant rhubarb:

Growing

Overcrowding is a common problem with rhubarb and can lead to subpar growth. Dig and split rhubarb roots every 3 to 4 years. Divide when plants are dormant in early spring (or late fall). Divisions should have at least one large bud on them. 

  • Mulch generously with a heavy layer of straw to retain moisture and discourage weeds.
  • Water your plant well and consistently. Rhubarb needs sufficient moisture, especially during the hot, dry summer days.
  • Remove seed stalks as soon as they appear, as they will only drain energy from the plant that could be used to produce stalks or roots.
  • Each spring, apply a light sprinkling of fertilizer (10-10-10) when the ground is thawing or has just thawed. See your local frost dates.
  • In the fall, remove all plant debris. Once your ground freezes, it’s best to cover rhubarb with 2 to 4 inches of organic mulch, preferably well-rotted compost. By adding nitrogen to the soil, you’re preparing the rhubarb plants for a good spring season.

Rhubarb leaf

Harvesting

Do NOT harvest any stalks during the first growing season. Harvest sparingly in the second year. This allows your plants to become properly established.

  • After a plant’s third year, the harvest period (rhubarb season!) runs 8 to 10 weeks long, lasting through mid-summer.
  • Harvest stalks when they are 12 to 18 inches long and at least 3/4-inch in diameter. If the stalks become thin, stop harvesting; the plant’s food reserves are low.
  • Grab the base of the stalk and pull it away from the plant with a gentle twist. If this doesn’t work, you can cut the stalk at the base with a sharp knife. To prevent the spread of disease, be sure to sanitize the knife before cutting. Discard the leaves.
  • Always leave at least two stalks per plant to ensure continued production. You may have a bountiful harvest for well over 10 years without replacing your rhubarb plants.
  • It was once believed that the entire rhubarb plant became toxic as summer temperatures rose. This isn’t true, although summer-harvested stalks usually have a tougher texture than those picked in the spring. Nevertheless, after midsummer (July), it’s best to leave stalks on the plant to allow them to gather energy for next year’s growth.

How to Store Rhubarb

Cut the rhubarb stalks and refrigerate in a covered container. Or, tightly wrap stalks in plastic or aluminum foil and refrigerate. Rhubarb can be kept fresh in the refrigerator for a couple of weeks.

Cut rhubarb stalks into pieces, place them in a covered container or zip-type plastic bag, and put them in the freezer. Frozen rhubarb will last about a year.

Pests and Problems

Pests and diseases are rarely an issue with rhubarb, but it may be affected by the following problems.

Rhubarb Pests and Diseases
Pest/DiseaseTypeSymptomsControl/Prevention
Botrytis (gray mold)FungusVaries; yellow/ brown/gray spots with water-soaked margins on leaves/flowers; gray mold; buds remain closed; stem lesions; wilt/rot; scorched appearance (“fire”) in some plantsDestroy infected parts/severely infected plants (do not compost); remove plant debris regularly; disinfect tools; good air circulation/sunlight; avoid overhead watering; prevent plant stress/injury; weed; rotation
Fungal leaf spotFungusVaries; leaf spots on lower leaves enlarge and turn brown/black; fuzzy growth or pustules in lesions; disease progresses upward; leaves dieDestroy infected leaves/ severely infected plants (do not compost); remove plant debris regularly; disinfect tools; resistant varieties; good air circulation; avoid overhead watering
Phytophthora crown and root rotOomyceteLeaves discolor/ wilt; dieback; oozing cankers near base; reddish brown discoloration of inner bark/wood; roots rot; plants slow-growing/stunted/dieDestroy infected plants and surrounding soil (do
not compost); prune out branch cankers; remove plant debris regularly; plant resistant varieties; prevent plant stress/injury; provide good drainage/do not overwater
Rhubarb curculioInsectWeevil-like beetle that bores into stalks/crowns; notches on stalks/leaves; holes in stalks leak sap; plants wilt/decayHandpick adults (appear in mid-May); destroy nearby host plants (sunflowers, thistle, dock) in mid-summer (July)
Slugs/snailsMolluskIrregular holes in leaves; slimy secretion on plants/soil; young stems “disappear”Handpick; avoid thick bark mulch; use copper plant collars; avoid overhead watering; lay boards on soil in evening, in morning lift and dispose of pests in hot, soapy water; drown in deep container of 1/2 inch of beer or of sugar water and yeast sunk to ground level; apply 1-inch-wide strip of diatomaceous earth

Toxicity
The stalks are the only edible part of the rhubarb plant. These have a rich, tart flavor when cooked. The leaves of the rhubarb plant are toxic. They contain an irritant called oxalic acid, so be sure that they are not ingested.

Types

These common varieties have attractive red stalks and excellent growers: 

  • ‘Canada Red’
  • ‘Crimson Red’
  • ‘MacDonald’
  • ‘Valentine’

In addition to the previous four, there is a reliable, green-stalked cultivar named:

  • ‘Victoria’

Wit and Wisdom

Rhubarb originally came from Asia. It was brought to Europe in the 1600s and to America shortly thereafter. It thrives in areas with a cooler climate, making it popular in northern gardens.

Rhubarb has many other uses, from medicinal to cosmetic. See how to naturally lighten your hair with rhubarb. 

Vegetables

About The Author

Catherine Boeckmann

Catherine Boeckmann

Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Catherine Boeckmann loves nature, stargazing, and gardening so it’s not surprising that she and The Old Farmer’s Almanac found each other. She leads digital content for the Almanac website, and is also a certified master gardener in the state of Indiana.

Read more from Catherine Boeckmann

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Comments

<span>Shirley Hauger</span> Wed, 05/18/2022 - 19:45
My aunt wants to know if you plant the blooms off the rhubarb?
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Thu, 05/26/2022 - 14:22

Do you mean prune? Pruning the blooms off the rhubarb will make its leaves and stems last longer, if you want a longer harvest.

 <span>Mary</span> Wed, 05/18/2022 - 14:24
What variety of rhubarb is pictured on this page?
<span>Christine</span> Sat, 05/07/2022 - 08:53
The rhubarb I have growing next to my compost is stunning and is from my parents' rhubarb patch. The rhubarb patch was there when they bought the house 65 years ago. I have no idea how long it was there before that. They have since passed away and the house has been sold. All eight of us kids have taken a portion of the rhubarb patch. There is still plenty for the new owners to enjoy. Each spring, our conversation about mom's rhubarb comes up. I feel like it is a part of American history. It grew next to an old barn where the chicken coop was, so obviously very well fertilized. The patch was allowed to grow and spread as it wanted. Mom was an excellent cook and each year we cherished the delicious rhubarb pies.
<span>Bravocharleywindsor</span> Fri, 11/12/2021 - 13:01
I have a 4 ft. by 12 ft. raised bed of rhubarb. I inherited the roots about 15 years ago it when my aging father wanted to close down his gardening. The roots originally came from my grandparents place (mother's side), split off from their stock that they had been keeping going since the mid 1920's!! I have no idea what variety it is but I guess it would be considered 'heirloom"! I always know spring is here when I notice the rhubarb budding up from the ground. It does well in the raised bed but does need some manure top dressing this year. I decided to establish my rhubarb in a raised bed to keep weeds at bay. I remembered the difficulty of weeding the ground level bed my dad had them in. They were at the edge of the garden and lawn, grass was always invading the rhubarb, and it made for quite a chore to clean it out. My raised bed has been successful at minimizing weeds. Every year it provides all the rhubarb I need and can share. I have even sent a huge bundle overnight express (yes, $$, that was a bit pricey!) to a colleague in El Paso Texas after he visited this area (upstate NY) for work and I shared some rhubarb pie (NEVER with strawberries!!!) with him that he loved! Once I have harvested all I want I leave the plants to grow and feed the root. I only have to cut off the flower stalks and pluck leaves as they age and are replaced by new ones. Also, I have heard that rhubarb leaves can be used to make a "tea" (extracting the acids and toxins) to make a natural pesticide. Does anyone else have any insight into making or using that?
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Fri, 11/12/2021 - 15:10

Sounds like a fabulous crop you've got!

We are aware of a Rhubarb Julep https://www.almanac.com/recipe/rhubarb-julep and Rhubarb Punch https://www.almanac.com/recipe/rhubarb-punch 

Here's a classic from the [Harry S] Truman library archives: Put rhubarb slices into boiling water. Boil for 10 to 15 minutes, then strain the liquid through a cloth or fine strainer. Reheat the tea liquid and add a cinnamon stick. Let it simmer a few minutes and then steep briefly. Sweeten as desired, after tasting.

Hope this is what you're looking for!

 <span>Kathy Belson</span> Fri, 07/09/2021 - 12:26
I live is Michigan. I planted 4 new rhubarb crowns from a company in MASS. I planted them 5ft apart in mounds in a sunny location. All 4 came up and looked nice but lately each plant started to get yellow on the outer large leaves. Our garden is new and pretty sandy. We added compost in the spring. I don’t think it’s root rot but how can I tell what’s wrong with the plants or is it just that time of year? I’m new to growing anything…. Do you have any ideas? Thanks
<span>Wilma West</span> Mon, 03/28/2022 - 10:23
The first growth in the spring is dark pink. As the time goes by, the stalks are less colourful and quite green. What can I do to improve the colour?
<span>A Roberts</span> Fri, 07/09/2021 - 06:38
Do I leave alone leaves on a new plant or pull up.
<span>Colin Richmond</span> Wed, 06/23/2021 - 09:32
Hi I planted three crowns this year my rhubarb seems to have taken but the leave are full of holes is this okay or should I put down some slug pellets