Tropical
Open climate guide →JanWaitFebWaitMarWaitAprWaitMayWaitJunWaitJulWaitAugWaitSepWaitOctWaitNovWaitDecWait
Rhubarb is not usually recommended for this broad climate without a protected position or specialist variety.
Grow to Eat
When to plant Rhubarb in Australia
A practical climate-by-climate planting calendar plus detailed starting, care, problem and safety guidance.
StartPlant crownsLightFull or part sunTimingLight harvest after one yearDifficultyModerate
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Australian planting calendar
Best months by climate
Highlighted months are the usual planting window. A local nursery, seed packet and current weather forecast should take priority over a broad climate calendar.
Subtropical
Open climate guide →JanWaitFebWaitMarWaitAprWaitMayWaitJunPlantJulPlantAugPlantSepWaitOctWaitNovWaitDecWait
Aim for June, July, August.
Warm temperate
Open climate guide →JanWaitFebWaitMarWaitAprWaitMayWaitJunPlantJulPlantAugPlantSepPlantOctWaitNovWaitDecWait
Aim for June, July, August, September.
Cool temperate
Open climate guide →JanWaitFebWaitMarWaitAprWaitMayWaitJunPlantJulPlantAugPlantSepPlantOctWaitNovWaitDecWait
Aim for June, July, August, September.
Mediterranean
Open climate guide →JanWaitFebWaitMarWaitAprWaitMayWaitJunPlantJulPlantAugPlantSepWaitOctWaitNovWaitDecWait
Aim for June, July, August.
Semi-arid
Open climate guide →JanWaitFebWaitMarWaitAprWaitMayWaitJunPlantJulPlantAugPlantSepWaitOctWaitNovWaitDecWait
Aim for June, July, August.
Arid
Open climate guide →JanWaitFebWaitMarWaitAprWaitMayWaitJunPlantJulPlantAugPlantSepWaitOctWaitNovWaitDecWait
Aim for June, July, August.
Start well
Plant rhubarb with confidence
Plant crowns. Prepare the final position first, retain the existing root-ball level and water thoroughly after planting.
- Sowing or planting depth
- Plant at the existing crown or root-ball level unless the label specifies otherwise.
- Germination or establishment
- Not normally started from seed in this guide; establishment speed depends on plant size, season and root condition.
- Spacing
- 75–100 cm
- Soil
- Rich, moisture-retentive soil with plenty of mature compost; usually ph 6.0–7.0.
Feeding
Support steady growth
Use compost before planting and a light nitrogen-rich feed during active leafy growth.
Water
Keep moisture balanced
Keep evenly moist; leafy growth becomes tough when plants dry out.
Maintenance
What to do as it grows
Harvest outer leaves and keep moisture consistent to maintain tender growth.
Harvest or display
Know when it is ready
Light harvest after one year. Readiness varies with variety and weather; use colour, firmness, size and the supplier's maturity notes rather than the calendar alone.
Problems and companions
Keep your patch healthy
Common watch-outs
Watch for aphids, caterpillars, snails and leaf disease, especially in crowded growth.
Useful neighbours
Pair with small flowering herbs where light and spacing allow; rotate leafy crops between beds.
People and pets
Safety note
The stalks of culinary rhubarb are used as food, but the leaves are toxic and must not be eaten or fed to pets.
Moving plants
Biosecurity note
Check local weed, invasive-plant and interstate quarantine rules before sharing or moving unfamiliar plant material.
Transparent guidance
How to use this guide
Patch gives a broad Australian starting point, not a guarantee for every variety or garden. Read the Patch methodology and sources, check the latest Bureau of Meteorology climate information, and confirm interstate restrictions through Australian Interstate Quarantine.
Last reviewed 3 September 2026