Vegetable · Polygonaceae family
rhubarb
Rheum rhabarbarum
In short a 10-second read
Rhubarb (vegetable) grows to 0.6–1.2 m tall and 0.9–1.5 m wide when mature. It grows best in full sun to part shade, in average to moist soil. Plant out in November–March. Harvest in April–June. Hardy to −40 °C.
× spread 0.9–1.5 m
Where to plant
Sun, soil, frost.
It grows best in full sun to part shade, in average to moist soil. Hardy to −40 °C.
Sun
Tolerates several positions — choose to suit the rest of the garden.
Soil and water
average to moist · watering: little
Soil: humus-rich, loamy, clay
Soil pH 5.5–7.5
Frost
It copes with a normal winter outdoors.
How much space it takes
Mature size.
The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).
Next to a person
The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.
Calendar
What to do and when.
Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.
The year at a glance
Pruning
remove flower stems (as needed); thin out old stems (October–December)
Planting out
bare-root: November–March
Harvest
April–June
Winter protection
not needed
Overwintering
It copes with winter on its own.
It overwinters outdoors without protection, hardy to −40 °C.
- Needs no protection
- Hardy to −40 °C
- Dies back in winter and regrows in spring
Frequently asked
Quick answers.
When is rhubarb harvested?
In April–June.
Does rhubarb tolerate shade?
It tolerates part shade (3–6 hours of sun), but not full shade.
How much space does rhubarb need?
At maturity 0.9–1.5 m wide and 0.6–1.2 m tall; recommended spacing 90 cm.
Does rhubarb survive winter outdoors?
Yes, without protection, hardy to −40 °C.
Where the data comes from
The data is indicative — we are still comparing it with further sources. Last checked 2 September 2026.
Show sources (9)
- NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — Rheum rhabarbarum
- University of Wisconsin–Madison Extension, Horticulture — Rhubarb
- The Old Farmer's Almanac — Planting and Growing Rhubarb
- RHS — Rhubarb — grow your own
- Wikidata (CC0) — Rheum rhabarbarum
- EPPO Global Database — Rheum rhabarbarum
- Invasive plant lists — this species is not on them: EU, Slovakia, EASIN
