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VegetablesHardyPerennial (long-lived)
Rhubarb
Rhubarb is a robust perennial grown for thick tart leaf stalks used in crumbles, compotes, jams and baking. Once established it can be highly productive for many years, making it a dependable crop for permanent corners of the plot.
Basic information
Category
Vegetables
Lifecycle
Perennial (long-lived)
Hardiness
Hardy
Planting partners
0 companions · 0 crops to avoid
Growth profile
Germination window
7–14 days
Germination temperature
16–20 °C
Plant spacing
90 cm
Row spacing
120 cm
Sowing depth
2.5 cm
Height
90 cm
Spread
100 cm
Calendar
JJan
FFeb
MMar
AApr
MMay
JJun
JJul
AAug
SSep
OOct
NNov
DDec
Sow Indoors
Sow Outdoors
Plant Out
Flowering / Harvest
Timings based on average frost dates in the UK. Sign up to set your frost dates.
Care tips
Feed rhubarb generously with organic matter each year and water if spring turns very dry, as strong growth depends on deep moisture and fertile soil. Stop harvesting by midsummer so the crown can replenish itself, and divide old plants when stems become thinner and weaker.
Common pests
Slugs, crown rot, leaf spot, frost damage to early growth.
Companions
No companion crops have been added yet.
Don’t grow with
No crops to avoid have been added yet.