Rhubarb Growing Guide
Growing Rhubarb is easier than you think. This guide walks you through everything you need — from planting your first seed to harvesting.
At a Glance
Difficulty
Easy
Category
Vegetable
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Frost Tolerance
Frost Hardy
Cold Hardiness
Survives to -34°C
Plant Family
Polygonaceae
Growing Season
Cool Season
Plant Lifecycle
Perennial
Also grows well as
How to Start It
★ Recommended for beginners
Plant a dormant crown in early spring with the buds just at the surface, 90 cm apart in rich soil. Lift and divide a big clump every 5–6 years to keep it vigorous.
Best grown from a crown/division; seed is slow and variable. NOTE: only the STALKS are edible — rhubarb LEAVES are toxic (high oxalic acid), so always cut them off and compost them. Needs a cold winter to thrive.
When To Start
First Chance to Plant
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Last Chance to Plant
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When should you plant Rhubarb?
Your planting dates depend on your local climate. Sign up and add your location to unlock personalized dates.
Your Rhubarb Planting Window
Start planting
May 15, 2026
Last chance
Sep 10, 2026
The Journey Ahead
Rhubarb's Lifecycle
Seedling
Mature Plant
Seed Production
Step 2
Planting & Sprouting
Growing Tips
- 1Rhubarb is a tough, long-lived perennial that needs a cold winter and rich, well-fed soil.
- 2Don't harvest the first year — let it build strength.
- 3Remove flower stalks when they appear, and mulch heavily each spring.
Seedling Phase
Step 3
Growth & Maturity
90 cm
Mature Height
120 cm
Mature Width
Pests to Watch For
Diseases to Watch For
Mature Plant
Step 4
Harvesting
Harvest Window
56 days
When to Pick
Don't pick year 1; from year 2 pull stalks spring–early summer
How to Harvest
- 1From the second year on, grip a stalk low down and pull-and-twist it free (don't cut).
- 2Take no more than a third to half at once, and stop by midsummer to let the plant rebuild.
- 3Always trim off and discard the toxic leaves.
Step 5
Saving Seeds
Seed Production
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