Can I Grow Rhubarb from Seed and Is It Worth It?

Rhubarb can be grown from seed, but it is significantly less reliable and more time-consuming than starting from a division or purchased crown. The reasons are straightforward: rhubarb grown from seed is genetically variable — seedlings from even a named variety will not come true, meaning you may end up with plants that are quite different from the parent in terms of vigour, stalk colour, flavour or productivity. For a crop as long-lived and space-occupying as rhubarb, starting with known, quality crown material is almost always the better choice.

How to germinate rhubarb seed

If you do want to grow from seed — for example to produce large numbers of plants cheaply or as an experiment — sow seeds indoors in modules or small pots in February or March. Use moist seed compost, cover seeds lightly, and maintain a temperature of 15–18°C. Germination is usually erratic — some seeds appear within ten days, others take four to six weeks. Seedlings should be grown on through their first summer before planting out in autumn.

How long before seed-grown rhubarb can be harvested?

Seed-grown rhubarb follows the same establishment rule as crown-grown plants: no harvesting in the first year, minimal harvesting in the second year, and normal harvesting from the third year onwards. This means a gap of three years from sowing to a proper harvest — compared to two years from a purchased crown. The additional year of seed germination and seedling growing simply delays everything by twelve months.

When growing from seed makes sense

If you have a flowering rhubarb plant and want to experiment, sowing the seeds you collect is a low-cost way to produce additional plants. The results will be variable but some seedlings may be excellent. For new growers establishing a permanent planting, purchasing named variety crowns is more reliable and only marginally more expensive.