Q&A for How to Divide Rhubarb Plants

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  • Question
    How do you split a rhubarb plant?
    Maggie Moran
    Home & Garden Specialist
    Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.
    Home & Garden Specialist
    Expert Answer
    You first dig around the root and lift the root cluster out. Then you cut sections off the cluster, making sure there are at least 1 healthy bud and up to 3 full buds per section.
  • Question
    What time of year can you transplant rhubarb?
    Maggie Moran
    Home & Garden Specialist
    Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.
    Home & Garden Specialist
    Expert Answer
    The best time to replant rhubarb is in early spring and in early fall. Rhubarb does best in well-drained soil with full sun.
  • Question
    When should you not pick rhubarb?
    Maggie Moran
    Home & Garden Specialist
    Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.
    Home & Garden Specialist
    Expert Answer
    The ideal season is from April to June. Try to avoid picking rhubarb in other months since it will likely not be ripe or ready.
  • Question
    Can I divide rhubarb in spring?
    Maggie Moran
    Home & Garden Specialist
    Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.
    Home & Garden Specialist
    Expert Answer
    It is ideal to divide rhubarb when the plant is dormant, during the winter. This should be done every 5 or 6 years.
  • Question
    Can I grow rhubarb in pots?
    Community Answer
    Yes. Rhubarb growers in Europe have been raising rhubarb in pots for centuries, in closed buildings with little sunlight. This allows them to harvest it very early in the spring or summer. They just open up the buildings in time to allow the stalks to develop color for harvesting.
  • Question
    Should I plant rhubarb in sun?
    Community Answer
    You can plant rhubarb in the sun, but it is not necessary. Rhubarb growers in Europe have been raising rhubarb indoors for centuries with little or no sun.
  • Question
    Will the rhubarb still grow if I accidentally broke some of the roots?
    Community Answer
    As long as you did not break any thick, strong roots that were coming directly off of the rhizome, you should be fine. It's okay if you accidentally cut some of the delicate roots towards the end of the root ball.
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