When to Plant Rhubarb in Alice Springs, Arid / Semi-Arid Guide

Sow February and July to September. Right now in September you can sow.

Published · Last reviewed · By Garden Buddy
Growing advice is reviewed by hand. Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.

This Rhubarb guide is written for the Arid / Semi-Arid zone, which takes in Alice Springs, Broken Hill and Port Augusta. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Canberra Perth

Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.

Rhubarb

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Rhubarb is a cold-climate perennial grown for its tart, colourful stalks used in pies, crumbles, jams, and sauces. It requires winter chill to break dormancy and performs poorly to dismally in tropical and subtropical Australia. CRITICAL SAFETY WARNING: Rhubarb leaves contain high concentrations of oxalic acid and anthraquinone glycosides and are TOXIC. Only the stalks are edible. Never eat the leaves.

Planting Calendar for Arid / Semi-Arid

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
- D - - - - D D D - - -

S = Seed Tray   T = Transplant   D = Direct Sow

Want a nudge when it is Rhubarb sowing time in Alice Springs?

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Current Growing Conditions

Soil temperature: 22.7°C (optimal range: 10–25°C) ✓ Ready to plant

Modelled from Open-Meteo forecast (Alice Springs), not a live sensor.

How to Grow Rhubarb in Arid / Semi-Arid Australia

When to Plant

Plant crowns May-July. Winter temperatures usually adequate for dormancy but irrigation essential.

Soil
Deep, rich, well-drained soil loaded with compost and aged manure. Rhubarb is an extremely heavy feeder. Dig in generous amounts of organic matter before planting.
pH Range
5.5-6.8
Sunlight
Full sun in cool climates. Afternoon shade essential in warm-temperate and marginal zones. 4-6 hours minimum.
Spacing
90cm apart, 120cm between rows
Watering
Deep watering weekly during active growth (spring-autumn). Reduce to minimal in winter dormancy. Consistent moisture prevents stringy stalks. Drought stress causes thin, tough stalks.

Companion plants: Strawberry, Garlic, Onion, Beans, Brassicas

Avoid planting near: Dock (related weed, harbours pests), Rampant ground covers that compete

Arid / Semi-Arid Growing Tips for Rhubarb

Recommended Varieties

  • Ever Red
  • Victoria

Key Challenges

  • Extreme summer heat causes dormancy or death
  • Requires heavy irrigation
  • Alkaline soils may need amendment

Pro Tips

  • Deep afternoon shade essential in summer
  • Treat as a cool-season crop that goes fully dormant in summer heat
  • Heavy mulch (15-20cm) insulates roots from extreme heat

Harvesting Rhubarb

When ready: Stalks 25-40cm long, firm, and well-coloured (red, green, or pink depending on variety). Leaves fully unfurled. Stalks should snap cleanly when pulled.

How to harvest: PULL, do not cut. Grip stalk firmly at base and twist-pull outward with a slight twisting motion. Cutting leaves stubs that can rot and introduce disease to the crown. Remove leaf blade immediately (TOXIC - compost the leaves or discard, they are safe in compost). Never harvest more than one-third of stalks at once.

Common Rhubarb Pests in Arid / Semi-Arid Zones

Fungal Spots and Insect Damage, risk: MODERATE (score: 51/100)

Organic prevention: Keep mulch pulled back from crown centre. Water in morning. Remove debris that provides hiding spots.

View all pest alerts →

Where to next

What rhubarb costs in the shops right now, retailer by retailer, updated daily.

Also worth sowing in the arid and semi-arid zone this September: Ginger, Chilli Peppers, Lemongrass and Beetroot.

The pest most likely to find your rhubarb: Mealybug.

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Common Questions About Rhubarb

When do you plant rhubarb in Australia?

It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:

Does rhubarb grow all year round in Alice Springs?

No. In the Arid / Semi-Arid zone the planting months are Feb, Jul to Sep. Outside that window it either bolts, sulks or gets cut down by the weather.

Which zone am I in?

Type your postcode into the box under the heading and the page tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Arid / Semi-Arid zone, Alice Springs is its reference city.