Domakihub How to Grow Rhubarb: A Practical Garden Guide
Plant once and harvest for decades with the right soil, timing, and care.
Reviewed by Domakihub garden pros · 2026-06-23 · 5 min read
The video above walks through the full rhubarb journey from crown to harvest — watch it for a visual overview, then use the steps below to get it right in your own garden. Rhubarb is one of the most rewarding perennials you can plant: it returns each spring without replanting and asks very little once established. Whether you manage a family home, a holiday villa, or a boutique hotel garden in Greece, a rhubarb patch is a long-term asset that keeps on giving.
Why Rhubarb Works Well in Greek Gardens
Rhubarb is often associated with cooler northern climates, but it thrives in Greece at higher elevations and in regions with cool winters — think Epirus, Macedonia, central Peloponnese, or mountain retreats in Crete. The plant needs a cold dormancy period each winter to fuel its spring surge, so coastal lowland sites are less ideal unless you can provide afternoon shade and consistent irrigation during summer heat.
Holiday rental owners looking for an edible feature plant should take note: rhubarb's dramatic red stalks and giant tropical-looking leaves create visual interest in the kitchen garden long before harvest time, adding a characterful touch that guests genuinely notice.
What You Need Before You Start
You will need a sheltered, partly sunny spot with deep, free-draining soil. Rhubarb crowns (the fleshy root divisions you plant) are widely available from nurseries in autumn and early spring. Avoid starting from seed unless you have patience — crowns establish far faster and produce a harvestable crop one season sooner.
Prepare a bucket of well-rotted manure or garden compost and a pH tester. Rhubarb prefers a slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 6.0–7.0). If your soil is heavy clay, raise a bed or work in coarse grit to prevent waterlogging, which is the single most common cause of crown rot.
5 Steps to Growing Rhubarb Successfully
- 1
Prepare the bed in autumn or early spring
Dig the planting area to at least 30 cm deep and remove all weeds including roots. Work in two or three large shovelfuls of well-rotted manure or compost per crown position. Rhubarb is a hungry feeder and the organic matter you add now will feed it for years. Let the bed settle for a week before planting.
- 2
Plant the crown just at soil level
Set each rhubarb crown so that the topmost bud sits no more than 2–3 cm below the soil surface. Planting too deep is the most common beginner mistake and causes the crown to rot before it establishes. Space crowns at least 90 cm apart — they will spread considerably over the years. Firm the soil gently around the crown and water in well.
- 3
Water regularly and mulch each spring
During the first growing season keep the soil consistently moist, especially in dry spells. Once established, rhubarb is surprisingly drought-tolerant but will produce thicker, juicier stalks with regular watering. Each spring, before new growth appears, apply a 5–8 cm layer of compost or well-rotted manure around (not on top of) the crown to feed the plant and suppress weeds.
- 4
Do not harvest in the first year — be patient
Resist the temptation to pull any stalks in year one. The plant needs to put all its energy into root development. In the second year, harvest no more than one third of the stalks at a time. From year three onward you can harvest freely from late winter through to midsummer. Always twist or cut stalks at the base and remove the leaves immediately — they are toxic and must never enter the kitchen.
- 5
Divide and renew every 5–7 years
Over time a rhubarb crown becomes congested and productivity drops. Lift the entire crown in autumn or early spring, cut it into sections with at least one healthy bud each, and replant the best divisions in freshly prepared soil. Surplus divisions make excellent gifts for neighbouring gardens. Dividing regularly keeps the plant vigorous and prolongs the life of your rhubarb patch far beyond a single human generation.
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FAQ
- Can I grow rhubarb in a hot coastal area of Greece?
- Rhubarb struggles where winters are mild and summers are extremely hot, as it needs a cold dormancy period to perform well. In coastal lowland areas, choose a north-facing or partially shaded spot, water heavily during summer, and accept that your harvest window will be shorter. Elevated sites at 400 m or above give far better results with much less effort.
- When should I harvest rhubarb and how do I do it correctly?
- Harvest stalks from late winter to midsummer, stopping once the stalks become thin — that signals the plant is tired. Grip each stalk near the base and twist-pull sharply downward rather than cutting, which helps the plant recover faster. Never harvest more than half the stalks at once, and always discard the leaves safely as they contain oxalic acid and are not edible.
- My rhubarb has sent up a tall flower spike — what should I do?
- Remove flower spikes as soon as you see them by cutting them off at the base. Allowing rhubarb to flower and set seed diverts huge amounts of energy away from stalk production and can significantly reduce your harvest. This is especially common in older crowns or during unusually warm springs — prompt removal keeps the plant focused on what you want: thick, flavourful stalks.