How to grow Rhubarb
Rheum rhabarbarum
Tart pie stalks from a tough perennial.
Rhubarb is a hardy perennial that comes back bigger every year — give it a permanent, rich, sunny spot. Only the stalks are edible; the leaves are toxic, so always discard them.
Grow Rhubarb with step-by-step help for your exact yard.
Start free in Seededly →Rhubarb at a glance
| Sun | Full sun |
|---|---|
| Soil pH | 6.0–6.8 |
| Spacing | 36 in |
| Harvest | 1–2 yrs to harvest |
| Plant | Early spring |
| Note | Perennial; leaves toxic |
How to grow Rhubarb, step by step
Plant a crown
- Set a crown in deep, rich soil in a permanent spot.
- Space 36 in — it gets big.
Wait a year
- Don’t harvest the first year; let it establish.
- Feed with compost each spring; remove flower stalks.
Pull, don’t cut
- From year 2, grip stalks low and pull with a twist.
- Take no more than a third at once; never eat the leaves.
Rhubarb problems & fixes
Rhubarb — Thin, weak stalks: what's wrong and how do I fix it?
Young or hungry plant. Stop pulling; feed with compost.
Rhubarb — Plant bolts to flower: what's wrong and how do I fix it?
Stress or age. Cut flower stalks off to keep energy in the crown.
Rhubarb — Rotten crown: what's wrong and how do I fix it?
Waterlogged soil. Plant high in well-drained, rich ground.
Recommended rhubarb varieties
- Victoria — All-rounder. Reliable green-and-red stalks.
- Canada Red — Red. Sweeter, deep-red stalks.
- Crimson Cherry — Red. Tender, very red, mild.
Rhubarb month-by-month
| January | Dormant. |
|---|---|
| February | Plan a permanent spot. |
| March | Plant crowns. |
| April | Stalks emerge. |
| May | Harvest season begins. |
| June | Peak pulling. |
| July | Ease off; let it recover. |
| August | Keep watered. |
| September | Remove any flower stalks. |
| October | Top growth dies back. |
| November | Mulch the crown. |
| December | Dormant. |