Valentine

Family: Polygonaceae Vegetable

Velvety, jewel-toned Valentine rhubarb rises with a dramatic blush—deep cranberry-red stalks edged in rosy undertones, topped by sturdy green.

Expect a crisp, succulent bite with a tender, juicy texture that sings in preserves and sauces, and shines when roasted for caramelized sweetness. A perennial favorite for home gardens, it rewards patient growers with dependable harvests year after year.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 365 DaysHabit: Clumping

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Growing note: Zone 6b has only 174 frost-free days — shorter than this crop's 365-day maturity. Outdoor planting is not viable; use protected cultivation.

Milestone	Date
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Growing Approach	Protected Environment Only

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	365
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Clumping
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Valentine rhubarb brings a clean, cranberry-tart bite with a juicy, crisp stalk that doesn’t turn to mush when you cook it down—so your preserves stay bright and your sauces stay spoonable. Roast it and you’ll get that blushing caramel edge; it plays especially well with sweet fruit and warm spice without needing much help.

Best Uses

high-stakes preserves: jam or compote where the stalk stays suspended
stovetop sauce that coats pancakes or yogurt—reduced to a glossy cling
roasting for caramelized edges and deep pink syrup
baking in pies/tarts where it needs structure but not toughness

Flavor Profile

crisp, juicy snap tart cranberry edge rosy sweetness when roasted tender stalk texture that holds up in heat

Kitchen Pairings

strawberries ginger orange vanilla honey chard/sorrel-lemon style acidity (as a seasoning note)

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Rheum rhabarbarum (Valentine rhubarb), and how do I control it?

Rhubarb is especially prone to crown rot and fungal leaf spots in cool, wet conditions around the crown. Remove and discard affected leaves, keep mulch pulled back from the crown, and improve airflow by thinning crowded plants; avoid overhead watering so foliage dries quickly. If the crown is soft or foul-smelling, lift and discard the plant to prevent spread.

How often should I water Rheum rhabarbarum during its main growing season?

During active growth, keep the root zone consistently moist but never waterlogged—aim for about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week from rain and supplemental watering combined. Water deeply when the top 1–2 inches of soil dry out, because shallow, frequent watering encourages weak surface roots. In hot spells, check moisture more often so the crown doesn’t dry out, but stop watering if the soil stays soggy.

How can I tell when Valentine rhubarb is ready to harvest?

Harvest when petioles (leaf stalks) are firm, fully colored, and at least about 10–12 inches long, usually once plants are well established (commonly after the first full season or when they’ve reached that stalk size). Do not cut very thin stalks from the crown; leave smaller inner stalks to keep the plant growing. Stop harvesting when growth slows or stalks stay small, and always finish by mid-summer so the plant can store energy for next year.

Valentine

Planting Schedule

Crop Dates

Crop Details

Culinary Notes

Frequently Asked Questions