When to Plant Rhubarb in Brisbane, Subtropical Guide

Out of season. Next window opens in June Soil 21.3°C, best 10–25°C

That soil figure is read off our own weather station in South East Queensland at 22:55 yesterday, not a model.

What this month normally looks like in Subtropical

In October the Subtropical zone normally runs 27°C by day and 15°C overnight, with about 77 mm of rain over 7 wet days. The coldest October night on record across the zone was -0.2°C, so a late frost is not out of the question. Averages 1991 to 2026, 33 postcodes, SILO.

Jump to section
  1. Planting calendar
  2. How to grow
  3. Local tips and varieties
  4. Pests and problems
  5. Harvesting
  6. Storing and preserving
  7. Other zones and related crops
  8. Common questions

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This Rhubarb guide is written for the Subtropical zone, which takes in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Cairns Sydney Melbourne Canberra Alice Springs Perth

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

Planting window
Jun to Sep
Days to harvest
about 52 weeks
Sun
Full sun to part shade
Water
Regular
Spacing
90 cm apart
Soil pH
5.5–6.8

Rhubarb is a cold-climate perennial grown for its tart, colourful stalks used in pies, crumbles, jams, and sauces.

Published · By GardenBuddy.au
Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.

Rhubarb

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Best Planting Window for Subtropical

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

P = Planting window

Plant crowns in winter to early spring, in part shade away from hot afternoon sun and out of wet clay. Vigour is lower than in cool zones, and crowns are often replaced every 2 to 3 years.

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How to Grow Rhubarb in Subtropical Australia

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.
Salt
Sensitive. Struggles with salty bore water or salty soil. Give it rainwater if you can.
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.
Good companions
Onion, Cabbage, Strawberry, Broccoli, Kale
Keep away from
Dock (related weed, harbours pests), Rampant ground covers that compete

Members see the exact salt threshold, how much harvest it loses as salt rises, and what to grow instead. See what members get

Subtropical Growing Tips for Rhubarb

Recommended Varieties

  • Ever Red (year-round type)
  • Wandin Red (year-round type)

Key Challenges

  • Mild winters provide minimal chilling
  • Summer heat and humidity stress plants
  • Crown rot risk high in wet summers
  • Stalks thinner and less colourful than cool-climate production

Pro Tips

  • Year-round varieties (Ever Red, Wandin Red) are the only realistic options
  • Afternoon shade is essential. Morning sun, afternoon protection
  • Raised beds with free-draining mix to prevent crown rot

Pests and problems for Rhubarb in Subtropical

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Browse the full pest library →

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.

Storing and preserving rhubarb

How to keep it
  • Freezing (raw or stewed). Wash stalks, chop into 2-3cm pieces. Either freeze raw on a tray then bag (best for crumbles/pies), or stew with minimal sugar first, cool, then freeze in portions. Raw-frozen rhubarb holds shape better when cooked later. Keeps: 12 months.
  • Dehydrating. Slice stalks 5mm thick. Dehydrate at 55C for 8-10 hours until leathery. Rehydrate for baking or eat as tart snack chips. Keeps: 12 months.
  • Rhubarb Jam/Conserve. Chop 1kg rhubarb, combine with 800g sugar and juice of 1 lemon. Rest overnight. Bring to rolling boil, cook 15-20 minutes until setting point (105C on thermometer or wrinkle test on cold plate). Pour into sterilised jars, seal immediately. Keeps: 12-18 months.
  • Rhubarb Chutney. Combine chopped rhubarb with onion, brown sugar, vinegar, ginger, mustard seeds, and sultanas. Simmer 45-60 minutes until thick. Jar hot. Excellent with cheese and cold meats. Keeps: 12 months.
  • Rhubarb Syrup/Cordial. Simmer chopped rhubarb in water until soft. Strain through muslin. Add sugar (1:1 ratio with liquid). Boil 5 minutes. Bottle hot. Dilute with sparkling water for a refreshing drink. Keeps: 6 months (refrigerated) or 12 months (water bath processed).

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

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What members get

  • Soil and weather from your nearest station
  • An email when it's time to sow
  • Your own garden plan, including planning from a photo
  • Price history and price alerts
  • Pest risk alerts for your area
  • Full salt and canning detail

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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:

When should I plant Rhubarb in Brisbane?

Plant crowns in winter to early spring, in part shade away from hot afternoon sun and out of wet clay. Vigour is lower than in cool zones, and crowns are often replaced every 2 to 3 years.

What soil temperature do Rhubarb need?

Rhubarb germinate best when soil temperature is between 10°C and 25°C.

How do I know when Rhubarb are ready to harvest?

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

What are the best Rhubarb varieties for Brisbane?

Recommended varieties for the Subtropical zone include: Ever Red (year-round type), Wandin Red (year-round type).

What grows well with Rhubarb?

Good companion plants for Rhubarb include: Onion, Cabbage, Strawberry, Broccoli, Kale.

Are rhubarb salt tolerant?

No. Rhubarb are salt-sensitive, one of the more sensitive veggies. Use rainwater if your bore water is salty, or grow them in a raised bed of fresh mix if your soil is.

Which zone am I in?

Type your postcode into the box near the top of the page and it 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 Subtropical zone, Brisbane is its reference city.