My garden, alive in my pocket.
ViridiaVERDEVA
Track my garden
🌿

Rhubarb

Rheum hybridum · Polygonaceae

The gardener's calendar

The right move for September

Ideal time to plant rhubarb: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.

JFMAMJJASOND Planting

ID card

Foliage
Deciduous
Flowering
Spring (May-June)
Adult size
0.9 to 1.2 m tall, 0.6 to 0.9 m wide
Growth
Fast
Hardiness
Very hardy (down to -15°C)
Origin
Central Asia (horticultural hybrid)
Soil type
Rich, deep, well-draining
Life cycle
Herbaceous perennial

Care

Watering

Water regularly during the growing season (spring-summer) to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Reduce watering in autumn and winter. During prolonged drought, increase the frequency to promote the development of fleshy petioles.

Exposure

Plant rhubarb in full sun or partial shade. At least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight daily will optimize production. It tolerates partial shade, especially in regions with very hot summers.

Soil and Preparation

Prepare a deep soil (at least 30-40 cm), rich in organic matter and well-draining. Improve poor soil by incorporating mature compost before planting. Avoid compacted and waterlogged soils.

Fertilizer and Feeding

Apply a fertilizer rich in organic matter (compost, manure) in spring each year. One application at the beginning of the season is generally sufficient. Avoid excess nitrogen, which would favor foliage at the expense of the petioles.

Pruning and Harvesting

Do not harvest the first year after planting to let the plant establish itself. From the 2nd year onward, pick the outer petioles by gently breaking them off at the base. Remove flowers as soon as they appear to concentrate the plant's energy in the stems. Practice winter dormancy by not harvesting anything from July onward.

Diseases and Pests

Rhubarb is generally robust. Watch for crown rot in case of excessive winter moisture. Aphids and whiteflies may occasionally colonize it. Maintain good hygiene and air circulation to prevent fungal diseases.

Did you know?

Rhubarb fascinated Europe as early as the Middle Ages: imported from Asia via the Silk Road, it was so precious it was called "vegetable gold." In Victorian England, forcing rhubarb to grow in heated greenhouses during winter was a mark of horticultural prestige, and some gardeners created elaborate structures to obtain pink and tender stems before the end of the year!

Where to buy it

Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.

Add this plant to my garden →

Plants from the same family

Browse all plants →

Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.