Pruning guide
How to prune rhubarb
More rhubarb care
Pruning rhubarb — FAQ
When should I prune rhubarb?
Remove flower stalks as soon as they appear in spring or summer; cut back dead foliage in autumn. Snap or cut flowering stalks at the base the moment they emerge to preserve crown energy. In autumn, remove all dead and collapsing leaf material at ground level and compost or discard it. Leave any green leaves standing until they die back naturally.
How often does rhubarb need pruning?
Remove flower stalks as needed; annual autumn tidy-up. Rhubarb needs minimal pruning, but two tasks matter. Remove flowering stalks (bolts) immediately when they appear — allowing seed set weakens the crown and reduces stalk yield. In autumn, cut dead leaves to the ground. Established crowns also benefit from division every 4–5 years rather than pruning.
How do you prune rhubarb?
Snap or cut flowering stalks at the base the moment they emerge to preserve crown energy. In autumn, remove all dead and collapsing leaf material at ground level and compost or discard it. Leave any green leaves standing until they die back naturally.