All You Need to Know About Growing Rhubarb in Pots

Rhubarb is a seriously easy plant to grow.  Rhubarb is actually a vegetable rather than a fruit, although it tends to be used in desserts as many fruits are.  The rhubarb plant is a perennial, which means it grows for several years and it’s both straightforward to grow and very hardy.  You can expect a good healthy rhubarb plant to last for about 10 years and while rhubarb grows well directly in the soil, we prefer growing rhubarb in pots to manage the space it takes.

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Why grow rhubarb?

The vegetable rhubarb really is one of the easiest vegetables to grow, despite the fact that most people associate it as a fruit!  It’s very hardy, likes cold weather and is perennial, so you don’t have to reinvest year after year.  In fact, your rhubarb plant should keep producing for 10 years or more!  Rhubarb works well in pies, desserts and jams, it can also be eaten raw! Read more about other perennial vegetables in our guide here.

Which variety of rhubarb should you grow?

You’ll find a whole host of rhubarb varieties to grow.  The best rhubarb variety for UK climates is covered here.  Your first rhubarb plant is likely to be a cutting from someone else, but if not and if you get the choice, then here’s a primer on our five favourite varieties of rhubarb.

What is the best Rhubarb variety for UK climate?

NOTE: You can buy Rhubarb Crowns and Seeds from Amazon.

• Champagne Rhubarb Seeds and Champagne Rhubarb plants: this is easy to grow and reliable, colours a glorious deep red if left, and takes on a pink stalk if forced. Buy Champagne Rhubarb Crowns now!
• Rhubarb Delight : this variety has dark green and red stems with a long harvesting season. Delight rhubarb is particularly disease resistant. > Get Delight Rhubarb here
• Fulton’s Strawberry Surprise Rhubarb this variety of rhubarb was voted best flavour in RHS Wisley trials and has vivid red stems.  Buy Fulton’s Strawberry Surprise Rhubarb here
• Rhubarb Glaskins Perpetual – this variety is easy to grow and is one of the varieties that can be harvested, albeit lightly in its first year if you started it inside during winter. Buy Glaskin Perpetual Rhubarb seeds now.
• Rhubarb Raspberry Red – this variety is a favourite because it can be harvested early without the need for forcing. It has a very sweet flavour and has deep red thick stalks. Buy Raspberry Red Rhubarb Now

What is the best Rhubarb for pots?

Each of these varieties of rhubarb are great for growing in containers.

• Champagne Rhubarb Seeds and Champagne Rhubarb plants – Buy Champagne Rhubarb Crowns now!
• Rhubarb Delight- Get Delight Rhubarb here
• Fulton’s Strawberry Surprise Rhubarb –  Buy Fulton’s Strawberry Surprise Rhubarb here
• Rhubarb Glaskins Perpetual – Buy Glaskin Perpetual Rhubarb seeds now.
• Rhubarb Raspberry Red – Buy Raspberry Red Rhubarb Now

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The Best Rhubarb Crowns

You can preorder these Rhubarb Crowns to be delivered during planting season. They’re a great selection and this is the fastest way to grown rhubarb.

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Different ways to grow rhubarb

You can grow rhubarb from seed, from crowns or from what’s called a division.  Beginner gardeners might find it easier to grow from a crown or division.  A rhubarb crown is a plant that is at least one year old.  You can crop from these plants in the first harvesting season after planting.  If you’re growing rhubarb from seed, then you shouldn’t harvest until the second year.  A division is just that, a part of a rhubarb crown.  You can harvest from them in the second year after planting.

So, for ease, and quicker harvesting, go for a rhubarb crown. > Buy Rhubarb Crowns Now

What is forcing rhubarb?

The term forcing rhubarb means forcing it to produce an earlier harvest.  The way to do this is to cover the rhubarb plant to stop light from getting to it.  You can buy specific forcing pots to do this – these are large, usually terracotta, pots that cover the entire plant.   You can also use a dustbin or a bucket over the top of the whole rhubarb.

Put the forcing pot over the top of the rhubarb at the first sign of growth.  If you ensure that no light gets to it, that and the heating that’s provided by the cover quickly makes your rhubarb ripen.  It can be ready to eat within 3-4 weeks.  You’ll know that the rhubarb is ready when the stems have reached the top of the container.  It’s best not to try and force rhubarb for two consecutive years – if you’re going to want early rhubarb each year, then grow a few plants and rotate the rhubarb forcing between them. Read about the health benefits of rhubarb here.

When should you plant rhubarb?

When to plant rhubarb depends on how you are growing it.  Crowns of rhubarb and rhubarb divisions are best planted in spring or autumn.  You’ll want the soil to be warm and moist.  If you’ve started rhubarb from seed in a pot, then you can plant it out at any time, provided that the soil isn’t either completely dry, waterlogged or frozen.

How to plant Rhubarb crowns

Plant your rhubarb crown as soon after you buy it as you can. If the roots are compacted then try and tease them out a little. You’ll need a 15-centimetre deep hole in the new pot that you’re going to grow your rhubarb in. Place it in carefully and backfill with compost. There’s no need to cover any of the stalks or leaves with soil.  Give your new rhubarb plant a good watering. Make sure it gets some sunshine while it establishes itself.

When to plant Rhubarb crowns

You can plant rhubarb crowns in Spring or Autumn months.

Where to grow rhubarb

The primary thing to remember about rhubarb is that it doesn’t like moving, so when you’re looking at where to plant rhubarb you’re best to try and find it a permanent home from the start, transplanting rhubarb can be difficult.  

What is the best place to grow rhubarb?

Rhubarb grows well in sunny locations but will also thrive in semi-shade.  You’ll need to make sure that it’s planted in well-drained, but moist soil.

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Growing rhubarb in the garden

Planting rhubarb directly into the garden is the most common way of growing it.   However, you will need to ensure that you plan for the most optimal area of your garden for rhubarb as moving rhubarb plants can be challenging.   Rhubarb does not react well to moving and if you mistime this your rhubarb plant may not survive.

Growing rhubarb in a pot

We think that rhubarb grown in pots is the best way to grow rhubarb.  Regardless of the size of your garden, if you grow rhubarb in a pot you will be able to move your rhubarb pots around the garden to take advantage of changing conditions.  Buy rhubarb plants and get started now!

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When to move rhubarb

Rhubarb doesn’t usually like being moved – and by this, we mean that if you plant it in the ground, digging it up again is going to upset its growing cycle.  Equally, if you are growing rhubarb in a container, then you want to try and make sure you plant it in its “forever” container as soon as possible, to avoid the moving of it.  If you are growing rhubarb from seed, then usually at about the 2-week mark you’ll want to move it to its forever home.

Growing rhubarb indoors

Many commercial rhubarb growers grow rhubarb indoors, which allows the rhubarb to be forced.    These commercial growers of rhubarb use hothouses or special forcing sheds, but you can “force” rhubarb in a garage, shed or cellar.

How to Grow Rhubarb in a Pot

You can start to grow rhubarb in 3 different ways.  You can buy seed and grow rhubarb from seed, you can buy a one-year-old rhubarb plant, a baby rhubarb plant, also called a rhubarb crown or you can take a cutting of rhubarb or a rhubarb division from an existing plant.  Here’s on the best way to plant rhubarb and what your options are.

There’s a great selection of Rhubarb Crowns available from Crocus here

Growing rhubarb from seed

If you’re starting to grow rhubarb from seed, then if you soak your rhubarb seeds in warm water for a couple of hours before sowing, then you’ll speed up germination.  This loosens the casing around the seeds.  Start your seeds off indoors about 3 months before the last frost is due.  You can start them in starter seed trays or small pots.  You’ll want to put them about 6 centimetres deep in a hole that you can make with your finger.  Cover them over and water them.  Now you’re going to want to leave them for about 10 days to 2 weeks. Try these to grow rhubarb from seed.

When to transplant rhubarb

At about the 2-week mark, they’ll need to be transplanted into bigger pots.  The less you transplant rhubarb the better, so you could even start them in these bigger pots.   Keep them inside for now, but they’ll need sunshine and good watering, although don’t let them get waterlogged. (check out our guide to the best expandable hoses here)

How to transplant rhubarb

When the risk of frost passes and your baby rhubarb plans are about 15 centimetres tall, then you’re ready to move them outside in bigger pots and begin “hardening them off”.  You do this by putting outside in a sunny but protected, area and each day increase the amount of exposure that they get.   If you go from about 2 hours to 8 over the course of a week, then they’ll be ready to live outside in their forever place.

Growing rhubarb from a rhubarb crown

Growing rhubarb from a crown, remember, it’s just the name for a plant that’s at least one year old, is the easiest way to grow rhubarb.  Growing rhubarb from a crow means that you’ll be able to harvest your rhubarb from this plant the first season after you plant it.

Try these Rhubarb Crowns Today!

Take the rhubarb plant out of the container that you got it in.  Carefully.  Place it in a 15-centimetre deep hole in your new container.  If the rootball is really compacted, then try and gently untangle it.  Backfill the hole with compost (check our recommendations for the best compost for vegetables here).  Just cover the root ball.  There’s no need to cover any of the stalks or leaves with soil.  Your new rhubarb plant will need a good watering and you’ll need to keep the soil moist.  While rhubarb is very hardy, try and find a spot for it which means it’s going to get a few hours of sunshine each day as it establishes itself.

Growing rhubarb from a division

Depending on the size of the division, you’ll want to put it in its “forever pot” or “forever place” as rhubarbs really don’t like being transplanted too much.  Plant each division in a 25 centimetre hole, leave the stalks and leaves uncovered, but make sure that the rootball is covered.  Water thoroughly and find a sunny spot for your new plant!

Taking a cutting from rhubarb

When it comes time to divide a bigger rhubarb plant, perhaps you’re spreading the rhubarb love and giving a division to a friend, then follow these steps to divide.

1. You’ll need to dig up the root  – be sure to try and pull the root ball out with you hands, so you don’t slice through any root systems
2. Cut through the tuberous root with a spade or trowel and cut it into 2 or 3 pieces, depending on how big it is.
3. You want to aim for each division having 1-3 buds. And don’t worry, your plant will survive!
4. Spring is the best time of year to divide rhubarb plants. If you must do it at another time of year, then go for autumn just before the rhubarb plant goes dormant.

How to Force Rhubarb

If you want to enjoy your rhubarb earlier in the year you can get your rhubarb to produce an earlier harvest, or “force’ it.   Some tips on forcing rhubarb.

1.  Try not to do this every year –  every consecutive year is the most that you sohuld try thos to encourage healthier growth for your rhubarb plant
2. If you want early rhubarb each year then grow several rhubarb plants and rotate the forcing.

What is forcing Rhubarb?

Forcing rhubarb is the process of bringing forward its harvest. It’s done by stopping light from getting to the rhubarb.  

When to force Rhubarb

You can begin to force rhubarb at the first signs of growth.   Force rhubarb at most every other year.    If you like rhubarb early but don’t want to force consider buying Raspberry Red Rhubarb, it’s an early harvest and has a great sweet flavour. Buy Raspberry Red Rhubarb Now

Using a forcing pot for Rhubarb

While many commercial growers use “forcing sheds” to grow Rhubarb in the dark, you only need to make the area immediately around the rhubarb dark.  For this, you use a Rhubarb Forcer pot or a rhubarb forcing pot.  You can head out and buy a fancy terracotta pot for this, or you can use an old bucket or garden trug.  

Tip it upside down and over the rhubarb.  You’ll need to continue watering and fertilizing it as you normally would and using a forcing pot for rhubarb should get it ready to harvest in about 2 months.

The best way to grow rhubarb for beginners

The best way to grow rhubarb for beginners with either from a crown or a division.  A one-year-old plant means that you can harvest the next season so you don’t have to wait as long.  If you’ve got a division from a friend, then you’ve probably also got some assistance if you run into any trouble with your rhubarb plant! Get a Rhubarb Crown and Start Now!

Growing rhubarb in pots UK climate and conditions

Planting rhubarb in pots is an excellent way to keep it under control and within the space that you want to allocate to it.  Rhubarb plants have very big root systems – so you’ll need a decent-sized container to grow it in.   If you can get a container that holds 40 litres of compost then you’ll have an excellent spot for the lifetime of your rhubarb and it should produce a pretty decent amount of stems for you.

Recipes that we use our homegrown rhubarb for

• Rhubarb and Ginger Gin
• Rhubarb and Apple Crumble

FAQs on Growing Rhubarb in Containers

Got questions about how to grow rhubarb in containers?  Check out our frequently asked questions about how to grow rhubarb in pots, or ask us in the comments.

Can I grow rhubarb in a pot?  Will rhubarb grow in a pot?

Yes.  You can easily grow rhubarb in a tub, container or pot.  Rhubarb will last for years in the right environment and if your garden is small, or you are growing edible plants in a yard or patio, then growing rhubarb in a pot is a great way to make the best use of space and also grow some of this tasty plant!

What size of pot do I need to grow rhubarb in?

Rhubarb has a big root system and they tend to grow to fit the space – so if you don’t plant in a pot they can take over your garden (not as much as mint though!  Try and get a 40-litre capacity pot and you won’t need to transplant your rhubarb.

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What is the best rhubarb variety to grow?

We like Glaskins Perpetual – which you can buy here – but we’ve also covered some of the benefits of the different rhubarb varieties above.  When you are getting started, don’t worry too much about the variety, just get it going and then start experimenting.

When should I be planting rhubarb in a pot?

If you are planting rhubarb from seed, then you can plant it at any time.  Make sure that the soil or compost doesn’t get too dry or too waterlogged – or definitely not frozen.  If you are planting rhubarb crowns then these are best planted in the spring or autumn.  Rhubarb divisions are also best planted in spring or autumn.

Is container grown rhubarb different to rhubarb grown in the ground?

Rhubarb grown in containers is much more contained, so it won’t spread out or grow as big.  It’s a good way to keep your garden under control.  It will taste the same.

Should I be covering Rhubarb in winter?

Rhubarb is pretty hardy and can survive at least a couple of freezes.   If it is going to be particularly cold, then put some insulation around the base of your pots.  If you cover the tops of the rhubarb with anything, including insulators such as straw then it’s going to start the forcing process.

Can you plant rhubarb seeds?  Can you grow rhubarb from seed?

Yes, rhubarb seeds can be planted easily. However, growing rhubarb from seed will not give you rhubarb to harvest in your first year.  Rhubarb grown from seed needs a growing season before you can harvest it.  If you want to be able to harvest in YOUR first year we recommend that you plant rhubarb crowns. (check these rhubarb crowns out here)

What is a Rhubarb crown?

A rhubarb crown is a plant that’s at least a year old.  It has either been divided from a strong disease-free plant, or it has been grown to this maturity from seed.    The important thing about the rhubarb crown is that it’s a year old and this is along the maturity scale, you’ll be able to harvest from it in your first season if you grow from crowns.

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Can you grow rhubarb from a stalk?

No.  The best way to grow rhubarb is from a crown or division.  

Do you pull rhubarb or cut it?

Rhubarb is harvested by pulling the stalks gently away from the plant when the stalks are 30-45 centimetres long.  Do NOT harvest in the first growing season.

When should you stop picking rhubarb in the UK?

You’ll usually pull your last rhubarb of the year in late summer – the end of July or August.  If the summer is particularly hot then the rhubarb will stop growing earlier.  Some varieties are best stopped even earlier, about the end of June

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The Best Rhubarb Crowns

You can preorder these Rhubarb Crowns to be delivered during planting season. They’re a great selection and this is the fastest way to grown rhubarb.

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What is the best time to plant rhubarb in the UK?

If you are growing rhubarb from seed in a pot, then you can plant it at any time, and plant it out at any time.  Make sure that the soil isn’t frozen, waterlogged or too dry!  If you growing rhubarb crowns, then you’ll want to plant rhubarb crowns in spring or autumn.  

How long does it take to grow rhubarb?

Rhubarb will grow in its first season.  However, it will not be ready to crop in its first year.  You can expect to crop rhubarb two years after planting.  It’s quicker to grow rhubarb from crowns to get a head start.

Can you eat rhubarb the first year? Can you harvest rhubarb the first year?

Well yes.  You can harvest rhubarb in the first year, BUT it’s going to damage the long term vitality of the rhubarb plant.  If you’re looking at growing rhubarb for the long term (i.e. more than a single year), then do not harvest or eat rhubarb the first year of its growth.  It’s also recommended to harvest lightly in the second year, to build up the vigourousness of the vegetable.

How big does rhubarb grow?

When its fully mature a rhubarb plant can be as big as 1.2 metres in diameter.  Obviously, if you plant it in a smaller pot it will constrain its size.

How many rhubarb plants do I need to grow?

We are a two-person household and we have three rhubarb plants.  We like rhubarb and force the rhubarb every third year.  

What is the best time to transplant rhubarb?  When is the best time to move rhubarb?

The best time to transplant rhubarb is early spring or early autumn.   

Can you grow rhubarb indoors?

Yes, you can grow rhubarb indoors.  Many commercial growers grow rhubarb indoors.  It does not need to be heated, as rhubarb does well outdoors.

What should I know about growing rhubarb in the dark?

The method of growing rhubarb in the dark is known as forcing rhubarb.  Before you can force rhubarb it must be 2-3 seasons old.  You only need make the area around the rhubarb plant dark, so you place a “rhubarb forcing pot” over the top of it, you can buy a specific one, or just use an old bucket.  Keep your rhubarb plant watered and fertilized as you normally would and your rhubarb will be ready to harvest in about 8 weeks.

What do I need to know about planting rhubarb crowns in pots?

There’s nothing different about planting rhubarb crowns in containers to sowing rhubarb seeds in containers.  Make sure that you select a big enough container so that you don’t have to retransplant it in future years, ensure that the plant is well watered, well-drained and trim off any dead leaves.  Buy a rhubarb crown now.

When it comes to how deep to plant rhubarb crowns, they don’t need to be that deep – aim for loosening the soil or compost down to about 30 centimetres, then refill with the loose soil and plant your rhubabr crowns about 10 centimetres down.  This will allow the roots of the rhubarb to seek out sustenance easily.

What is a rhubarb forcing pot?

A rhubarb forcing pot is a pot that is bell shaped and that has a lid covering at the top.  You can also use a bucket.  The lid on the pot is used for access, as you will need to continue to water and fertilize your plant.  Rhubarb forcing pots are used to encourage the plant to grow early in the season, by limiting photosynthesis.  You can only successfully use rhubarb forcing pots with two- to three-year-old rhubarb crowns.  Place the forcing pot on in winter or very early spring and your rhubarb will be ready to harvest 8 weeks later.

What other fruit and vegetables can I grow in pots?

Try these other guides to growing in pots and containers

• Grow peas in pots
• Grow carrots in pots
• Grow rhubarb in pots
• Grow spinach in pots
• Grow courgettes in pots
• Growing onions in pots
• How to grow Asparagus in pots
• How to grow Beetroot in pots
• How to grow Coriander in pots
• How to grow Basil in pots

Final words on growing rhubarb in pots

Rhubarb really is one of the easiest vegetables to grow (for more recommendations on easy vegetables to grow read our guide here) Rhubarb is a hardy plant and its likely that you can find someone who will give you a division, which means that you can start growing rhubarb for free!  We recommend growing rhubarb in pots, to ensure you can control the size of the root system, and it lessens the need for transplanting, which isn’t something that rhubarb plants tend to like.  We hope that you’ve enjoyed our guide to rhubarb, how to grow it and the answers to all the questions we’ve got about growing rhubarb in the UK.  Now all that remains is to get on with your rhubarb growing and to plan what you’re going to cook with the results of your rhubarb harvest!

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