When to plant Rhubarb in the UK

Rheum × hybridum

Rhubarb
Rhubarb · Rheum × hybridum

A hardy perennial for a permanent UK bed. Plant crowns in rich, well-drained soil. Leave them to establish. Take a light crop from year two. The leaves are not edible. A little light shade is fine.

100 cm · Full Sun · Moderate Water

Add to garden
Plant out October to December, harvest March to July.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Plant outNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoYesYesYes
HarvestNoNoYesYesYesYesYesNoNoNoNoNo

UK averages · set your town for dates worked out from your local frost records · how dates are worked out

Growing guide

What to do through the growing season

Dates for your town

Set your town to see planting windows worked out from local frost history, not a generic UK calendar.

  1. 01

    Prepare the Bed

    mid-September to mid-October UK average · set your town for your exact dates

    Prepare a permanent bed around mid-September to mid-October. Take out perennial weeds. Work in plenty of well-rotted manure or garden compost.

  2. 02

    Plant Crowns

    mid-October to early December UK average · set your town for your exact dates

    Plant dormant crowns around mid-October to early December in a sunny or lightly shaded spot. If the ground is still open later, you can still plant. Set the buds just at or slightly above the soil. Do not bury them. Buried crowns rot. Space apart. Water in.

    • Seed, forcing, and spring-potted plants are separate routes.

  3. 03

    Keep Weed Free

    mid-October to early November UK average · set your town for your exact dates Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    From mid-October to early November, keep the bed weed-free. Water in dry spells. Do not pick any stems in the year you plant.

  4. 04

    Feed and Mulch

    early March to early April UK average · set your town for your exact dates Optional · repeat every 365 days

    Top-dress around the crown from early March to early April with garden compost or a balanced organic fertiliser. Do this once a year. Do not bury the crown.

  5. 05

    Harvest Stems

    mid-March to early July UK average · set your town for your exact dates Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Do not pick stems in the year you plant. Take a few stems in year two, from mid-March to early July. Pull and twist from the base. Do not cut. Leave plenty of foliage. The leaves are not edible.

  6. 06

    Clear Dead Foliage

    early October to early November UK average · set your town for your exact dates

    Once the leaves die back around early October to early November, clear the old foliage. Do not leave it sitting on the bed.

Suggested varieties

Popular varieties of Rhubarb to consider

Timperley Early

An early cropping variety that can be forced for very early harvests under pots or in darkness.

Victoria

A reliable, widely grown variety with good flavour and strong stems.

Stockbridge Arrow

A modern variety with long, straight stalks and a good harvest window.