Troubleshooting
Rhubarb problems — and how to fix them
Rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum) is generally forgiving once you match its basics, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Thin pale stalks
Patch is hungry; mulch with compost.
Flowering stalks
Cut off to redirect energy to the leaves.
Crown rot
Wet feet in heavy clay; plant on a mound.
Slugs eat young stalks
Common in damp springs; ring with grit or beer traps.
Slow first year
Resist harvesting in year 1; light pulls in year 2.
Prevent rhubarb problems before they start
Most rhubarb issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Rhubarb problems — FAQ
Why is my rhubarb thin pale stalks?
Patch is hungry; mulch with compost.
Why is my rhubarb flowering stalks?
Cut off to redirect energy to the leaves.
Why is my rhubarb crown rot?
Wet feet in heavy clay; plant on a mound.
Why is my rhubarb slugs eat young stalks?
Common in damp springs; ring with grit or beer traps.
Why is my rhubarb slow first year?
Resist harvesting in year 1; light pulls in year 2.