In addition, rhubarb can be a beautiful ornamental plant with its large, textured leaves and chunky stems.
Rhubarb plants are generally hardy and long-lived, with some varieties growing for 20 years or longer.
Rhubarb has a fast growth rate.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Plant in the early spring, but dont start harvesting until the second growing season.
Also, note that rhubarb leaves and roots are toxic both to people and pets.
Selecting a Planting Site
Select a sunny spot in the garden with good soil drainage.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Because rhubarb can live for many years, aim to pick a spot where it can grow undisturbed.
verify no nearby tree or shrub will eventually grow too tall and shade it out.
Rhubarb also can be grown in containers.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Plant crowns around 4 inches deep and 4 to 6 feet apart.
If placed too close together, the rhubarb will be smaller and less productive.
Rhubarb plants do not require a support structure.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Too much shade, however, can result in thin stems.
Soil
Rhubarb prefers a slightly acidic to neutralsoil pH.
In addition, it likes soil that’s high inorganic matter, which helps to support its growth.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
The soil should be moist but well-draining.
Water
Rhubarb likes consistent moisture.
However, don’t overwater rhubarb, as the crowns can rot in wet soil.
A good rule is to water the plant when the top inch of soil dries out.
Dont use any chemical fertilizer on a young rhubarb plant, as the nitrates can kill it.
Pollination
Rhubarb is a self-pollinating plant.
However, chard is a vegetable while rhubarb is a fruit.
And chard leaves are edible while rhubarb leaves are not.
Harvesting Rhubarb
Don’tharvestany rhubarb in your plant’s first growing season to allow it to become established.
you’re free to take a small harvest in the second growing season.
Themain harvest seasonis the spring, though smaller harvests might continue throughout the summer.
Stalks that are red and around 12 to 18 inches long are ready for harvesting.
To harvest, cut the stalks at the soil line.
Then, remove the leaves.
The stalks harvested in the spring usually have the best taste and tenderness for pies.
Later-season stalks can be tough and often best stewed in jams and sauces.
Rhubarb has a large root system and thus needs a large pot in which to grow.
Choose one thats at least 12 inches in diameter, and check that it has drainage holes.
An unglazed clay container is ideal, as it will allow excess soil moisture to escape through its walls.
If rhubarb is allowed to mature and flower, the leaf stalks will be thinner.
Propagating Rhubarb
Rhubarb is best propagated by division.
Dividing rhubarb plants roughly every five years is ideal to keep them healthy and vigorous.
Youll know its time to divide when the plant starts to produce thin stalks.
If you wish to start plants from seed, fill a tray with moistened seed-starting mix.
Cover the tray with plastic wrap to retain moisture, and place it in bright, indirect light.
Ensure that the soil remains moist but not soggy.
Seedlings should appear in one to two weeks.
Potting and Repotting Rhubarb
A well-draining potting mix made for vegetables is typically good for rhubarb.
Youll likely have to do this roughly every three years, depending on your container size.
Wait one growing season before harvesting from a repotted rhubarb plant.
Overwintering
Rhubarb stems will die back in the fall.
At that time, cut the depreciated foliage to the ground.
Moreover, stalk borers, beetles, and rhubarb curculio can infest rhubarb.
Keep the ground around the plants free of debris to remove breeding areas.
Rhubarb is typically an easy and vigorous grower with the right light and soil conditions.
Rhubarb crowns grow quickly but shouldn’t be harvested in their first growing season.
Rhubarb is a perennial in cooler climates, and most varieties will live for many years.
Rheum Rhabarbarum (Pie Plant, Rhubarb) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox.
