Rhubarb
Rheum rhabarbarum · Polygonaceae
📷 Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
⚠️ Les feuilles contiennent des oxalates solubles ; une ingestion importante peut provoquer salivation, tremblements ou atteinte rénale chez chiens et chats. Les pétioles comestibles ne sont pas concernés.
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant rhubarb: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- May to June
- Adult size
- 90 cm in height
- Growth
- Fast
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (down to -20°C)
- Origin
- Central Asia
- Soil type
- Rich, well-drained, humus-rich
- Edibility
- Yes (edible petioles)
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Rhubarb loves rich, deep, moist soil: dig deep (30+ cm) and work in mature compost before planting. It's a perennial that stays in the same spot for 10+ years.
The common mistake
People plant it in poor or compacted soil, and forget that the stems aren't edible until 4-5 years after planting.
The pro's trick
Every 2-3 years in autumn, add 3-5 cm of mature compost without nitrogen fertilizer: this mulch enriches the soil and keeps stems smooth, not stringy.
Care
Regular watering
Rhubarb loves moist soil: water generously during the growing period, especially in spring and summer. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. In autumn and winter, reduce watering as the plant goes dormant.
Sun exposure
Plant rhubarb in full sun for optimal growth and better production. It tolerates partial shade, but produces less in shadier conditions. A south or west-facing exposure ensures a generous harvest.
Soil preparation
Enrich the soil with compost or well-rotted manure before planting. Rhubarb prefers rich, deep, well-drained soil. A slightly acidic to neutral pH is ideal for good growth.
Harvesting and flower removal
Harvest the petioles from the second year onwards by twisting or cutting them at the base. Remove flower stems as soon as they appear to encourage leaf production. This practice strengthens the plant and improves your harvest.
Fertilizing
Apply a potassium-rich fertilizer in spring and add compost in autumn. Once or twice per season is usually sufficient. Avoid excess nitrogen, which encourages disease.
Health monitoring
Rhubarb is generally hardy against diseases. Watch for crown rot if there's excess moisture, and aphids in spring. Good drainage and regular aeration prevent most problems.
Did you know?
Rhubarb conquered Europe in the Middle Ages via the Silk Road, first as a prestigious medicinal plant, before the British popularized the consumption of its sweetened petioles in the 19th century. Even today in England, 'Yorkshire rhubarb' from winter forcing cultivation is a prestigious product renowned for its tenderness and delicate flavor.
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.
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.