key growing information

Growing Rhubarb From Seeds or Crowns

How to grow rhubarb: hardiness and lifespan, site and soil, starting from seed, planting crowns, harvest in the first years and dividing, plus availability.

By Hensley’s Seed Co. September 3, 2026

Rhubarb - Key Growing Information

One-year rhubarb crowns can be planted in early spring, as soon as ground is workable, while roots remain dormant, before growth, or just as plants begin leafing out.

SCIENTIFIC NAME:

Rheum rhabarbarum

CULTURE:

Rhubarb is an easy perennial for Zones 4–8 that can live 10–15 years or more. Pick a sunny spot and plant in early spring in fertile, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0–6.8. It's a heavy feeder, so a dressing of compost each spring improves yields.

PLANTING FROM SEEDS:

Soak seed for 2 hours, then sow ¼" deep in individual pots 5–7 weeks before the last frost. Thin to one per pot and plant out once frost danger has passed.

PLANTING CROWNS:

Plant crowns 1" deep with the buds facing up, 3' apart in rows 5' apart. Firm the soil well and water to remove air pockets around the crowns.

HARVEST:

Skip harvesting in year one. In year two, take just a few stalks (technically leaf stems) per plant. From then on, you can pull all stalks 1" or thicker for 6–8 weeks, leaving thinner ones to feed the crown for next year. Snap or cut stalks at the base, and remove any seed stalks. Crowns can be divided after 3–5 years.

DELIVERY OF PLANTS:

Plants are in stock and ship any time of year to every state.