When is the best time to harvest rhubarb?

Harvest stalks in spring and early summer when they are fully grown but still tender.

How do I harvest rhubarb stalks?

Gently pull or cut the stalks from the base, leaving the crown and smaller stalks to continue growing.

Why are my rhubarb leaves drooping?

Drooping can be due to insufficient water, extreme heat, or the plant preparing for dormancy.

Can rhubarb be grown from seed?

While possible, growing from seed is less common; division of established crowns is preferred for consistency.

Guide botanique

Rhubarb.

Rheum rhabarbarum

Prononciation ROOM rab-BAR-bar-um

Aussi appelée Garden Rhubarb, Pieplant, Rhubarb, pie-plant

Rhubarb is a perennial plant grown for its fleshy, tart-flavored leaf stalks, which are typically used in pies, jams, and desserts. While the stalks are edible, the leaves and roots are poisonous and should be avoided.

En un coup d'œil

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: direct
Water: Every 2 to 5 days
Mature size: Up to 1.5 meters tall and wide
Growth rate: medium
Hardiness: USDA 3 to 8
Bloom time: Late spring to early summer

Entretien

Grow rhubarb in a sunny spot with fertile, well-drained soil. Ensure consistent moisture, especially during dry spells. Remove flower stalks as they appear to direct energy into stalk production.

Watering: Keep soil consistently moist, especially in warm weather, but avoid waterlogging.
Feeding: Fertilize in early spring with compost or a balanced fertilizer after the ground thaws.
Pruning: Cut back dead foliage in late fall or early spring to tidy up and prevent disease.
Repotting: Divide clumps every 3-5 years in early spring or fall to rejuvenate the plant and control size.
Soil: Rich, moist, well-drained loam
Soil pH: Slightly acidic to neutral (6.0-7.0)
Temperature: -30 to 25°C
Humidity: 50 to 70%

Sécurité

People: High: Leaves and roots contain oxalic acid and are toxic if ingested.
Pets: High: Oxalic acid in leaves and roots can cause poisoning.
Edibility: Only the leaf stalks are edible; leaves and roots are toxic.

Comment l'identifier

Large, basal leaves
Thick, fleshy leaf stalks
Small, greenish-white flowers
Grows in clumps
Rhizomatous root system

Height: 0.6 to 1.5m
Spread: 0.6 to 1.5m
Leaves: Green, Reddish-green, deciduous
Flowers: Greenish-white, 0.5 to 1cm

Problèmes courants

Crown rot — Caused by excessive moisture, leading to root and crown decay.
Leaf spot — Fungal or bacterial infections causing spots on leaves.
Aphids — Small, sap-sucking insects that can infest new growth.
Slugs and snails — These mollusks can feed on the leaves and stalks.

La cultiver

Propagation: Division, Seed
When to plant: Early spring, Fall

Plant rhubarb in an open area where it receives ample sun and has room to expand, and consider companion plants that can help improve soil fertility or deter pests.

Bonnes associations

Strawberries — Both thrive in similar conditions and benefit from the soil being slightly aerated by each other's root systems.
Mint — Mint can help deter some common rhubarb pests like aphids.
Beans — Legumes like beans fix nitrogen in the soil, benefiting nutrient-hungry rhubarb.

À éloigner de

Brassicas (Cabbage, Broccoli) — Brassicas are heavy feeders and can compete with rhubarb for nutrients and water.

Espèces similaires

Rhubarb Chard — Though often confused due to the 'rhubarb' in its name and colorful stalks, it is a type of Swiss chard, not true rhubarb, and is grown for its edible leaves and stalks which are milder.

Science

Family: Polygonaceae
Genus: Rheum
Order: Caryophyllales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Siberia and Western China

In its native, cold regions, rhubarb survives harsh winters with dormant roots and emerges in spring with new growth fueled by stored energy.

Uses: Culinary (stalks), Ornamental

Au fil des saisons

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Repères écologiques

Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 5/9
Light: 8/9
Temperature: 2/9
Moisture: 6/9
Nutrients: 7/9

Taxonomie vérifiée avec le GBIF.

Ce qu'on demande souvent

When is the best time to harvest rhubarb?: Harvest stalks in spring and early summer when they are fully grown but still tender.
How do I harvest rhubarb stalks?: Gently pull or cut the stalks from the base, leaving the crown and smaller stalks to continue growing.
Why are my rhubarb leaves drooping?: Drooping can be due to insufficient water, extreme heat, or the plant preparing for dormancy.
Can rhubarb be grown from seed?: While possible, growing from seed is less common; division of established crowns is preferred for consistency.

D'où vient le nom

The scientific name 'Rheum' comes from the Greek 'rheion', meaning 'flow', referring to its medicinal use to treat various ailments. 'Rhabarbarum' is thought to derive from 'Rha', the ancient name for the Volga River, indicating its origin from barbarous lands.

Bon à savoir

It's botanically classified as a vegetable but often used in desserts like a fruit.
Rhubarb stalks can be red, green, or a mix of both colors.
The plant has a long lifespan and can produce for 10-20 years.

Ton rhubarb a mauvaise mine ?

Cette page est un guide général. Pocket Botanist diagnostique les problèmes directement à partir d'une photo de ta plante, adapte l'arrosage à sa luminosité et te prévient quand il faut t'en occuper.

Télécharger l'appli

Ce guide a été généré par IA et vérifié avec la taxonomie du GBIF. Il s'agit d'informations générales, et non de conseils horticoles ou vétérinaires. Découvre comment nous concevons ces guides.