When To Plant Rhubarb

Knowing when to plant rhubarb is the single most important factor for a successful, long-lived patch. Get the timing right, and you’ll be rewarded with decades of reliable harvests. This guide gives you the clear, optimal growth timing for your climate.

Rhubarb is a hardy perennial that thrives with a cold winter dormancy. Planting at the correct time allows the crown to establish a strong root system before the stress of summer heat or winter freeze. Let’s look at the best planting windows.

The optimal time to plant rhubarb depends almost entirely on your local climate. The goal is to give the plant a solid start during cool, moist conditions.

Best Season: Early Spring

For most regions, early spring is the absolute best time. Plant as soon as the ground is workable—no longer frozen and not too soggy. This is typically 4-6 weeks before your last expected frost date.

Why spring works so well:

The cool, wet weather helps new roots develop without heat stress.
The plant has a full growing season to get established before winter.
Nurseries have the best selection of dormant crowns at this time.

Alternative: Fall Planting

In milder climates (USDA zones 6 and above), fall is a good second choice. Aim to plant about 6 weeks before your first hard frost is expected. The soil is still warm, which encourages root growth, while the cooling air signals the plant to focus energy underground.

This gives the crown a head start for explosive spring growth.
Ensure you mulch well after planting to protect against heaving from freeze-thaw cycles.

Why Summer and Winter Are Poor Choices

Planting in the heat of summer puts immense stress on the crown. It will struggle to establish roots and may wilt or die without constant watering. Planting in frozen winter soil is, of course, impossible. Dormant crowns can be stored in a cool place for a spring planting if they arrive at a bad time.

Understanding Your Planting Zone

Your USDA Hardiness Zone is your best guide. Check a zone map to confirm your number.

Zones 3-5 (Colder): Stick strictly to early spring planting. Fall comes too early and winter is too severe for fall-planted crowns to survive reliably.
Zones 6-8 (Temperate): You have the most flexibility. Both early spring and fall are excellent options.
Zones 9+ (Warmer): Rhubarb is a challenge. You must plant in the very coolest part of the year, often late fall or winter, and treat it as an annual or provide artificial chill. Choose a variety like ‘Victoria’ that is more heat-tolerant.

Step-by-Step Planting Guide

Once you’ve chosen your optimal time, follow these steps.

1. Choose Your Planting Material

You can start rhubarb from crowns (dormant root sections) or from seed. Crowns are vastly prefered.

Crowns: These give you a harvestable plant one year after planting. They are clones of the parent plant, so you know exactly what your getting. Look for plump, healthy crowns with at least one visible bud (“eye”).
Seeds: Growing from seed adds two extra years before your first harvest, and the resulting plant may not be true to type. It’s generally not recommended for home gardeners wanting a quick yield.

2. Select the Perfect Site

Rhubarb is a long-term investment, so site selection is critical. It needs:

Full Sun: At least 6-8 hours of direct sun daily.
Excellent Drainage: Rhubarb crowns will rot in soggy soil. Avoid low spots. Raised beds are ideal for heavy clay soils.
Space: Plant crowns 3-4 feet apart. They get very large.
Soil Quality: Rich, loamy soil with plenty of organic matter. A slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0) is best.

3. Prepare the Soil

Take time to prepare the planting hole well.

Dig a hole about 2 feet wide and 1.5 feet deep.
Mix the excavated soil with several shovelfuls of well-rotted compost or aged manure.
Add a handful of a balanced organic fertilizer to the mix.

4. Plant the Crown Correctly

Proper planting depth is key. Plant too deep, and the crown may rot. Plant to shallow, and it may dry out.

Place the crown in the center of the prepared hole.
Set it so the the buds are just 1-2 inches below the soil surface.
Backfill the hole with your soil mixture, gently firming it around the crown.
Water thoroughly to settle the soil and eliminate air pockets.

5. Initial Care After Planting

Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist (but not waterlogged) for the first growing season.
Mulching: Apply a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch (straw, shredded leaves) around the plant. Keep it a few inches away from the emerging stalks to prevent rot.
Patience: Do not harvest any stalks in the first year. This allows all energy to go into root and plant development. In the second year, you can take a few stalks for a light harvest. By the third year, you can harvest fully for 8-10 weeks.

Common Timing Mistakes to Avoid

Even with the best intentions, a few errors can set your plant back.

Planting Too Deep: This is the number one mistake. Remember: buds just under the surface.
Harvesting Too Soon: Resist the temptation! That first-year growth is building next decades harvests.
Overcrowding: Give them space. Good air circulation prevents disease.
Poor Drainage: If you puddle forms after rain, your site is not suitable without building a raised mound or bed.

Caring for Established Plants

Once established, rhubarb is very low-maintenance.

Spring: Remove winter mulch. Feed with compost and a balanced fertilizer as growth begins. Remove any flower stalks that appear immediately—they divert energy from leaf and root growth.
Summer: Water during extended dry periods. Cease harvest by mid-summer to let the plant recharge.
Fall: After frost kills the leaves, remove the dead foliage. Add a fresh layer of compost around (not on) the crown.
Winter: In colder zones, a light mulch after the ground freezes is beneficial.

Every 5-6 years, you may need to divide overcrowded crowns. Do this in early spring or fall, replanting only the healthiest outer sections.

FAQ: Your Rhubarb Timing Questions Answered

Can I plant rhubarb in the summer if I keep it watered?

It’s not recommended. Even with watering, the heat stresses the plant during its critical establishment phase, making it more susceptible to failure. It’s better to wait for optimal conditions.

What is the latest I can plant rhubarb in the fall?

Ensure you plant at least 6 weeks before your ground typically freezes hard. The roots need time to anchor in before winter dormancy.

Can I grow rhubarb from a grocery store stalk?

No. The stalk alone will not grow into a plant. You need a section of the crown (root) with a growth bud. Plants are propogated by division, not from stalk cuttings.

My rhubarb is thin and spindly. Did I plant at the wrong time?

Thin stalks are more often caused by overcrowding, lack of sunlight, or harvesting to heavily or for to long. Ensure the plant gets full sun and ample nutrients. Time your harvest season correctly, ending in early summer.

Should I start rhubarb seeds indoors?

If you choose seeds, start them indoors 8-10 weeks before your last spring frost. Transplant seedlings outdoors after hardening them off, but be prepared for variable results and a long wait to harvest.

By following this optimal timing guide—planting in early spring for most, or fall for mild climates—you set the stage for a rhubarb patch that can produce for 20 years or more. The key is patience at the start, allowing the plant to build a robust root system. With the right start, you’ll enjoy abundant harvests for many seasons to come.