Basics
- Ease of Growing
- Easy
- Grown as
- Perennial
- Growing Habit
- -
- Hardiness
- Super Hardy
Rhubarb is very hardy while dormant (to -20˚ F) and actually needs cold weather for winter rest.
- Crops
- Spring
- Growing Season
- Short, Long
- Cultivar Type
- -
- Growing Conditions
- Cold, Cool, Warm, Hot
Rhubarb requires temperatures below 40˚ F to establish dormancy, and summer temperatures averaging less than 75˚ F for vigorous vegetative growth. The Northern U.S. and Canada are well suited for rhubarb production. In the United states it grows best in the northern states from Maine South to Illinois and West to Washington state. Once planted, rhubarb remains productive for 8 to 15 years.
Rhubarb can be grown in the Southern regions of the United States if it is grown as an annual. However, it will wilt very quickly on hot days (over 90˚ F). Excessive heat may cause Rhubarb to produce only thin leaf stalks which lack color.
- Outdoor Growing Temp
- 55°F - 75°F
- Min Outdoor Soil Temp
- 40°F
Germination will be slow until the soil warms up to 40˚F.
- Start Indoors
- Yes
- Start Outdoors
- Yes
- Light
- Sun: min. 6 hours daily (Cold, Cool)
Full sun. When growing in cool climates Rhubarb needs a sunny site, where it won’t get too much frost (which could delay early harvests).
Part shade (Warm, Hot)Rhubarb can be grown in a less than ideal climate of hot dry summers and mild wet winters, and it still does surprisingly well. In this climate it does best with light shade, as the large leaves can lose a lot of water on a hot day. It also benefits from a cooler micro-climate.
- Water
- Moderate
Keep the soil evenly moist, but not wet. Don't let the soil become soggy, as crown rot may occur.
- Feeder
- Heavy
Rhubarb prefers a deep, rich, fertile soil because it's a fairly hungry plant.
- Suitability
- Tolerates light frost, Tolerates hard frost, Partial shade, Needs summer shade, Needs lots of space
- Small Gardens?
- Yes
- Containers?
- Yes, but will need a large one, like a half wine barrel
Though not ideal, it is possible to grow rhubarb in containers if you use a large one and feed it regularly.
- Attracts beneficial insects?
- No
- Color
- Red
- Fruit Size
- - "
- Plant Height
- 18.0 - 24.0"
- Plant Diameter
- 36.0 - 48.0"
- Hardiness Zone
- 1-9
- Disease Resistance
- Taste Profile
Rhubarb is undeniably tart and usually requires lots of sweetener to make it palatable. It tends to be a plant you either love or can't understand why anyone would eat it!
- Rotation Group
- Perennial