leafy · transplant · beginner friendly
Rhubarb: how much to plant.
A family of 4 eating rhubarb a few times a week needs about 6 plants in ~72 sq ft, worth about $72 a year at the store. Here are the exact numbers for your household, and when to plant in every zone.
How much to plant
Plants, space, seeds, and value.
Counts assume about 3 servings per person per week with a germination buffer built in. Store value uses ~$4.00/lb retail, an estimate that varies by region and season.
| Household | Plants | Bed space | Seeds to buy | Store value / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 2 | ~24 sq ft | ~3 | ~$24 |
| 2 people | 3 | ~36 sq ft | ~4 | ~$36 |
| 4 people | 6 | ~72 sq ft | ~7 | ~$72 |
| 6 people | 9 | ~108 sq ft | ~10 | ~$108 |
Spacing
36" in row · 48" between rows
Sow depth
2"
Days to harvest
60 from seed
When to plant
Sow windows by USDA zone, 2026.
Zone dates are typical, not exact. The free planner uses your ZIP code's frost dates, not just the zone, and shifts every window to match.
| Zone | Spring sow window | Fall sow window |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | Apr 15 – May 29 | — |
| Zone 4 | Apr 10 – May 24 | — |
| Zone 5 | Mar 31 – May 14 | — |
| Zone 6 | Mar 21 – May 4 | — |
| Zone 7 | Mar 6 – Apr 19 | — |
| Zone 8 | Feb 23 – Apr 8 | — |
| Zone 9 | Jan 21 – Mar 6 | — |
| Zone 10 | Jan 1 – Feb 14 | — |
Know when it's time to plant
Give us your ZIP and we'll email you a planting checklist for your exact frost dates, this month's list right now, then once a month when sow windows open.
One email a month, only when there's something to plant. Unsubscribe anytime.
Know before you grow
The practical stuff.
Ready to pick when
Stalks 10 to 15 inches with fully opened leaves. Grab low and pull with a twist; never eat the leaf itself.
Don't wait: Stop harvesting by early July so the crown can rebuild for next year.
Yield
About 3 lbs per plant over ~8 productive weeks (~3 lb).
On the plate (per 100 g, USDA)
21 kcal · 1.8 g fiber · 8 mg vitamin C · 288 mg potassium
Stop guessing. Get your exact numbers.
Tell the free planner what you want to eat and who you're feeding. It returns plant counts, spacing, and frost-safe sow dates for your ZIP code, not just your zone, in about 60 seconds.
Rhubarb cans, freezes, or dries for the pantry. See how much to grow and store to feed your household, and how long it keeps.
Rhubarb planting questions
How many rhubarb plants do I need per person?+
For steady eating (about 3 servings a week), plan on roughly 2 plants per person. A family of 4 needs about 6 plants, which takes around 72 sq ft of bed space.
How much space does rhubarb need?+
Space plants 36" apart in the row with 48" between rows. Sow 2" deep. Start indoors, transplant out.
When should I plant rhubarb?+
It depends on your frost dates. Spring sowing is keyed to your last spring frost. The zone table on this page shows typical windows; enter your ZIP in the free planner for dates tuned to your exact location, not just your zone.
Is growing rhubarb worth it?+
At about $4.00/lb retail and ~3 lb per plant, a family-of-4 planting is worth about $72 a year at the store. Prices vary by region and season, so treat it as an estimate.