Rhubarb
Rheum × hybridum
Rhubarb is a vigorous, low-maintenance perennial grown for its tart, pink or red stems, typically harvested from March to July. It is one of the most reliable crops for UK gardens, tolerating hard frost and poor conditions once established. Forced rhubarb - produced by covering crowns with a pot in February - yields earlier, sweeter, more tender stalks and is a traditional British delicacy.
Key facts
- Family
- Polygonaceae
- Category
- Leafy
- Sowing window
- Feb–Mar, Oct–Nov
- Sowing depth
- 50 mm
- Watering
- medium
- Frost sensitivity
- low
- Days to maturity
- Ready from year 2; light harvest only in year 1
- Harvest window
- Mar - Jul
Sowing notes
- -Plant crowns October-November or February-March
- -Do not harvest leaves - they are toxic
- -Light harvest only in year 1 - allow plant to establish
- -Force early sweet stalks by covering with a pot or forcing jar in February
- -Leave plants to recover from July onwards - do not harvest late in the season
Varieties
Timperley Early is the best variety for early forced rhubarb, producing tender, pale-pink stems weeks ahead of unforced crops when covered with a forcing pot in February. It is a vigorous grower with a sweeter, milder flavour than Victoria and particularly valued for its early season contribution. Excellent for forcing; also crops well unforced from March.
Victoria is the most widely grown rhubarb in UK gardens, a reliable and productive variety with thick, crimson-red stems and good flavour. It is vigorous and long-lived, producing abundant stems over a long season from April to July. An excellent all-purpose variety suitable for crumbles, jams, and freezing.
Issues & threats
Wilting
EnvironmentalPlants are drooping or losing vigour. Most commonly caused by water stress but can also indicate root damage, vascular disease, or heat scorch. Identifying the cause quickly is important as some causes are serious.
Poor germination
EnvironmentalSeeds are emerging unevenly or not at all. Usually caused by soil temperature being too low, seeds sown too deep, poor seed-to-soil contact, or old seed stock.
Damping off
Fungal diseasePythium spp. / Phytophthora spp.
Young seedlings collapse at or just below soil level, caused by fungal pathogens that thrive in overwatered, poorly ventilated growing conditions. Can spread rapidly through a seed tray.
Yellowing leaves
EnvironmentalLeaves are turning yellow, which can indicate a range of problems including nutrient deficiency, overwatering, disease, or natural senescence. Identifying whether the pattern is upper or lower leaves, whole leaves or between veins, is key to diagnosis.
Stunted growth
EnvironmentalPlants are significantly smaller or slower to develop than expected. May be caused by poor soil, nutrient deficiency, root restriction, compaction, pest damage to roots, or disease.
Chewing damage
PestGeneral chewing damage from an unidentified pest, leaving holes or missing leaf sections. May be caused by caterpillars, beetles, or other insects. Inspect at dusk to identify the culprit.
Sap-sucking pests
PestGeneral sap-feeding pest activity causing weakened or distorted growth. May be caused by aphids, whitefly, scale insects, or other sucking insects. Inspect leaf undersides and growing tips to identify the pest.