Rhubarb is a fabulous plant and very easy to grow. It has hardly any pests and will flourish in a corner of your garden or in a container.
Rhubarb grows well in Zones 3 - 7.
I grew healthy rhubarb in USDA Zone 6b for many years. When I moved this past year to Wisconsin USDA 5A I found out rhubarb was very popular in northern states because it tolerated the cold winters.
What Is Rhubarb Good For?
One of my earliest memories is standing on a chair at the kitchen counter helping my father make strawberry rhubarb jam. I was about four years old and trying to cut rhubarb stalks into even pieces. My father was always a fabulous gardener and from a young age I wanted to be a gardener too!
Rhubarb has a tangy tart taste (more so than granny smith apples) and is excellent paired with other early fruits such as strawberries. Rhubarb strawberry pie is another delightful treat. Rhubarb also pairs well with blueberries and apples.
Rhubarb is well known for adding to deserts but I remember my father adding rhubarb to beef stew. When I looked this up I found this was a popular Persian dish. Who Knew?
Turns out rhubarb is native to Asia and one of the plants Marco Polo was looking for. It came to Western Europe during the Middle Ages and to America in the early 1700s.
Looks fabulous in the landscape! Rhubarb at Grythengen farm. Photo Credit: Øyvind Holmstad.
Varieties
Victoria
The most popular rhubarb variety is Victoria which has a sweet-tart flavor and is great for cooking. Victoria has been around since 1837 and was named for the Queen of England at that time.
Valentine
I have also grown Valentine which has a beautiful red stalk and keeps its color during cooking which is always fun. Valentine is long-lived 15+ years so make sure to pick a good spot.
Just a heads up! There is a variety of Swiss chard called Rhubarb. Don’t get that confused with the plant rhubarb since in many ways Swiss chard looks like a mini rhubarb.
Starting From Seed
Rhubarb can be grown from seeds which I don't recommend just because it takes an additional year to start harvesting.
However, it is a less expensive option. You can purchase seeds or gather seeds in the fall if you have a friend with a rhubarb plant. However, keep in mind that rhubarb is not always true to the parent plant.
Place seeds 1/4 inch into the seedling mix and cover lightly. Plant them in a 4-inch pot and place them in a sunny window or under grow lights.
Sow seeds about 8 weeks before your last frost. Be patient as they can take two weeks to germinate. Keep the soil moist but make sure it has good drainage.
Transplant them outside when they are 4-5 inches tall. Young plants can tolerate a light frost if they have been hardened off properly.
Growing Rhubarb From Bare Roots
You can order bare roots from a nursery. The root is a clump and you can see some roots at one end and sprouting at the top end. If you are planting bare roots, dig a hole and place the roots down with the top crown just above the soil surface.
Growing From Potted Plants
You can also purchase rhubarb plants from a local nursery. Plant these so the soil level in the pot is level with your garden soil.
Getting Rhubarb Off To A Great Start
Starting off your rhubarb right is very important. Rhubarb likes moist well draining soil. It will do well in full sun or dappled shade just so long as it has moisture. Since it's a long-lived perennial make sure to dig in plenty of compost.
You are going to give your rhubarb that first year to get established. Make sure the soil is kept moist but not soaking wet and keep weeds from growing around it. I don't fertilize that first year. In the second year, I will top dress with an inch of compost and give the rhubarb a dose of fish emulsion when it starts to grow in spring.
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Where To Grow?
You can grow rhubarb in garden soil, raised beds, or containers. Three important things to remember about rhubarb.
Rhubarb gets quite tall. About 3 feet tall and spreads 3 feet wide.
They hate wet feet. So if you have heavy soil make them a raised bed.
They will live 15+ years, so make sure it’s a good permanent spot. I grew rhubarb for many years in a raised be that it shared with horse radish.
Containers
Rhubarb does well in containers. If you have an urban garden or apartment balcony it makes a nice showy plant as well. Rhubarb does need a big container - at least ten gallons. I once had a plant in a half whiskey barrel that looked really cool but now I can't find that picture.
Rhubarb makes a great landscaping plant. Plant them about three feet or 90 centimeters apart. They like plenty of room to grow.
My son inherited several beautiful rhubarb plants when he purchased his home that was being grown in a raised bed made from a stock tank.
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Harvesting
Don't harvest your first year but after that feel free to harvest stalks from spring to mid-summer. Allow the plant to grow freely from late summer into fall so that the leaves can send nutrients down to the roots. That way it will stay healthy for next season.
Harvest by cutting or snapping the stalks off at the base. Remember eat the stalks not the leaves. The leaves are mildly toxic so just eat the stalks or petioles as they are called.
Cooking and Harvesting
Obviously, I am partial to strawberry rhubarb jam! However, there are many ways to use rhubarb.
Rhubarb pairs well with spices, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. It is a popular ingredient in alcoholic drinks often mixed with tequila and lime.
As I mentioned above rhubarb also pairs well with meat if you are an omnivore. I found a great recipe from Taste of Home on using rhubarb in Beef Stew.
Rhubarb can be quite prolific. Which is a good thing. Rhubarb freezes well.
Cut the rhubarb into half-inch slices and place them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Put them in the freezer for three hours. Take them out and transfer them to a freezer bag for storage. No need to blanch.
Health Benefits
Rhubarb is not typically on everyone's must-plant list. But it should be!
Rhubarb contains lots of vitamins K and C and the American Institute of Cancer Research states that rhubarb has Anthocyanins which are antioxidants.
Author, Ame Vanorio, is the founder of Fox Run EEC and an avid gardener since those days standing on a chair at the kitchen counter.
Containers are a fabulous way to grow plants. They can be used in small spaces, maximize growing space, and are efficient. Containers also add beauty to a patio, window, or walkway.
Let’s think beyond the typical ceramic pot. There are a lot of new stylish designs out there that are good for your plants and your budget!