Growing Luscious Rhubarb in Pots: A Complete Guide

Rhubarb is a cold-hardy perennial that produces tart stalks perfect for pies, jams and other sweet treats. While traditionally grown in garden beds rhubarb can also be grown successfully in containers. With the right strategies, you can harvest abundant rhubarb from pots on your patio, balcony, or doorstep.

Choosing a Container

Rhubarb has a large root system and needs a deep pot to accommodate it. Select a container that is at least 16-24 inches deep. Shallow pots will restrict root growth. Look for containers with drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.

Plastic, ceramic, wood, and metal containers all work well for rhubarb. Dark-colored containers may keep roots warmer in the spring Just ensure the container is sturdy—rhubarb can become top-heavy when full grown. A pot with a width of 16 inches or more provides enough space for multiple rhubarb crowns

You can also use galvanized metal buckets, whiskey barrels, or stock tanks for growing rhubarb. Just be sure to drill drainage holes.

Selecting the Right Variety

Some rhubarb varieties perform better than others in containers. Good pot-growing varieties include:

• Valentine – A vigorous producer with thick, red stalks. Does well in small spaces.

• Victoria – A compact plant that produces abundant pinkish-red stalks.

• Canada Red – A hardy, productive variety with candy-apple red stalks.

• Crimson Red – Its deep red stalks are juicy and tender. A prolific producer.

• MacDonald – This Canadian variety bears sturdy, upright stalks. Ideal for containers.

Planting Rhubarb Crowns

Rhubarb is grown from divided crowns rather than seed. Purchase healthy crowns from a garden center or nursery. Select crowns with multiple buds and avoid any with signs of rot or damage.

The ideal planting time is early spring. Fill the container most of the way with a rich, well-draining potting mix. Amend it with compost or manure for added nutrients.

Plant 1-2 crowns per container, nestling them just below the soil surface. Leave 12-18 inches between crowns if planting multiple. Cover crowns with soil and water well after planting.

Caring for Container Rhubarb

Rhubarb requires attentive care and feeding when grown in pots. Follow these tips for the best harvest:

• Water regularly to keep soil consistently moist, but not saturated. Rhubarb has shallow roots.

• Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-4 weeks during the growing season. Fish emulsion is a good organic choice.

• Top dress containers with compost or manure in early spring and again halfway through summer.

• Keep pots in an area with at least 6 hours of full sunlight daily.

• Shelter containers from harsh winds, which can damage leaves and stalks.

• Rotate pots to a new position every 2-3 weeks to ensure even sunlight exposure.

• Remove flower stalks as soon as they appear to encourage leaf and root growth.

• Prune back overcrowded leaves in midsummer to stimulate new growth.

• Overwinter containers in a sheltered spot or unheated garage once stalks die back.

Troubleshooting Problems

Proper care will prevent most problems, but here are some potential issues and solutions with container rhubarb:

• Poor growth – This is usually tied to insufficient sunlight, water, or fertilizer. Assess conditions and adjust as needed.

• Leggy, floppy growth – Plants are searching for light. Move to a sunnier location.

• Few or small stalks – Can be caused by overcrowding, lack of nutrients, or drought stress. Thin plants, fertilize, and improve watering.

• Wilting leaves – Rhubarb needs constant moisture. Check soil and water more diligently.

• Pests – Aphids, cabbage worms, and slugs/snails may attack. Use organic pest control options.

Harvesting the Bounty

You’ll need to be patient with new rhubarb plants. Don’t harvest any stalks the first year. This allows the plant to establish itself.

In year 2, you can harvest a few stalks for about 2-3 weeks. By year 3, you’ll be able to harvest 8-10 weeks as pots reach full production.

Twist and pull stalks gently but firmly to harvest. Use a knife if needed. Don’t remove more than 50% of stalks at once to keep the plant healthy.

Only harvest stalks thicker than a pencil. Leave thinner stalks to develop further. Remove any leaves—they are poisonous if eaten. Enjoy your homegrown rhubarb!

Extend the Harvest

With the right care, you can harvest rhubarb from containers over 2-3 months or more. Here are some tips to get the longest harvest:

• Stagger Planting: Plant crowns in early spring, late spring, and midsummer to ensure a continual harvest.

• Succession Harvesting: Only take stalks from certain plants at a time and rotate, giving each plant long rest periods to regrow.

• Forcing Rhubarb: Place a potted dormant plant in a warm, dark area like a closet or basement in late winter. This will stimulate early growth for an extra-early harvest.

• New Crowns: Divide mature plants and re-pot crowns every 3-5 years to rejuvenate growth.

• Protect Plants: Keep rhubarb growing strongly into late fall by protecting pots from frost with cloches, fabric covers, or greenhouse panels.

Enjoying the Harvest

Rhubarb’s tart, cranberry-like flavor lends itself to both sweet and savory uses. Here are some favorite ways to use up your rhubarb bounty:

• Classic strawberry-rhubarb pie

• Rhubarb compote or jam

• Rhubarb barbecue sauce

• Roasted rhubarb and pork tenderloin

• Rhubarb velvet cake

• Rhubarb margaritas or daiquiris

• Pickled rhubarb

• Rhubarb chutney

• Rhubarb lemonade

With the right care and conditions, it’s possible to grow bumper crops of rhubarb in containers. Follow this guide for the best results. You’ll be rewarded with plenty of tasty rhubarb to use all season long.