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Rhubarb Giant Victoria – Loose

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This loose pack of 25 dormant crowns offers gardeners the perfect opportunity to establish or expand a thriving rhubarb patch with Rhubarb Giant Victoria (Rheum × hybridum). Celebrated for its bold flavour and striking garden presence, this classic heirloom delivers thick, greenish red stalks with a luscious, sweet taste that is full-bodied yet smooth, ideal for pies, crumbles, jams, sauces, and preserves. True to its name, Giant Victoria grows into a large, impressive plant with crinkled, oversized leaves that add dramatic texture to garden beds or large containers. Hardy and easy to grow, it flourishes in cool, temperate, and arid climates, performing best in rich, well-drained soil with plenty of sun and some afternoon shade to protect from heat stress. With generous, reliable yields year after year, this perennial is a standout addition for any kitchen gardener seeking flavour and productivity.

SKU: TCRHUGVI002-1 Category: Tags: , ,

Description

Rhubarb Giant Victoria
Supplied as a loose pack of 25 dormant crowns, Rhubarb Giant Victoria (Rheum × hybridum) offers gardeners an excellent opportunity to establish or expand a productive rhubarb patch. This hardy, long-lived perennial is celebrated for its vivid stalks and very sweet flavour. Though technically a vegetable, it is often used as a fruit in cooking. First introduced in the 1830s and named after Queen Victoria, this classic variety is favoured for its vigorous growth, high yields, and longevity.

Growing from a thick underground rhizome, it produces sturdy, upright stalks topped with large, crinkled green leaves. Over time, it forms a wide clump and can produce generously for many years with minimal care. Rhubarb grows well alongside companion plants such as onions, garlic, and strawberries, which can help improve growth and deter pests.

Kitchen Uses
‘Giant Victoria’ is a staple in sweet dishes like pies, crumbles, cakes, slices, and jams, and complements savoury chutneys and sauces. Its firm texture holds up beautifully when stewed, bottled, or baked. With a naturally sweet, full-bodied flavour, it pairs well with gentle hints of spice or citrus and typically requires less added sugar.
Note: Only the stalks are edible. Rhubarb leaves are toxic and must be discarded.

Climate Suitability & Planting Time
Best suited to cool, temperate, and arid regions, rhubarb needs a winter chill to support dormancy and spring regrowth. Crowns can be planted from winter to early spring. In warmer climates, planting from late autumn through winter allows roots to establish before summer. In cooler regions, wait until late winter or early spring when frost risk has eased and the soil is workable.

Temporary Storage
If not planting right away, store crowns in a cool, dry place, or “heel in” to barely moist potting mix in a shaded, sheltered spot until conditions improve.

Frost Considerations
While mature rhubarb is frost-hardy and benefits from winter chill, newly planted crowns are more sensitive. In their first year, apply mulch around the crown to insulate the roots, and use frost cloths in frost-prone areas. In cold climates, rhubarb naturally dies back in winter and re-emerges in spring; frost-damaged foliage can be trimmed away.

Where & How to Plant
Choose a permanent spot in full sun. In warmer climates, part shade in the afternoon helps protect plants from summer stress. Rhubarb needs room to spread, so plant in vegetable plots, garden beds, or large containers at least 50–60 cm wide and deep.

Soil & Fertiliser
Rhubarb prefers rich, organic, well-drained soil improved with compost or aged manure. Raised beds are ideal for heavy or wet soils. Mix one cup of balanced fertiliser into the soil at planting, keeping it away from the crown.

In the ground, loosen soil to 30 cm. Plant the crown so its base is just below the surface, with the upper crown and top bud exposed. Space crowns 1–1.5 m apart.
In containers, use quality potting mix blended with compost. Plant one crown per pot with the same positioning.

Water thoroughly after planting. Apply mulch to retain moisture, leaving a gap around the exposed crown.

Care and Maintenance
• Watering: Keep soil evenly moist throughout the growing season, avoiding waterlogging.
• Feeding: Each spring, apply a balanced organic fertiliser and fresh compost to support strong new growth.
• Mulching: Top up mulch each winter after cleaning away old foliage. In wet areas, avoid heavy mulch directly on the crown to reduce rot risk.
• Summer: In hot regions, water more frequently and provide some afternoon shade to reduce heat stress.
• Weeding: Keep the base of the plant clear to reduce competition and improve airflow.
• Flowering: Remove flower stalks as soon as they appear to redirect energy back into producing thick, healthy edible stalks. This helps maintain vigorous growth and improves yield.

Harvesting
• Year 1: Do not harvest — allow roots to establish.
• Year 2: Harvest lightly, a few stalks at a time.
• Year 3+: Full harvest for 6–8 weeks from spring into summer. Pick stalks 30–40 cm long with fully open leaves. Gently twist and pull at the base — never cut, as this can leave stubs that may rot. Always leave 4–6 healthy stalks on the plant and stop harvesting by late summer in cooler regions or early autumn in warmer areas to allow the plant to store energy for the next season.

Forcing Rhubarb
Force during dormancy for sweeter, earlier stalks. Cover the crown with a light-proof container and optionally insulate with straw. Harvest pale stems after 6–8 weeks. Avoid forcing the same crown more than once every few years.

Dividing Crowns
Divide every 4–5 years in late autumn or winter to maintain plant health. Lift with a fork and split into sections with at least one healthy bud and root. Replant immediately or store in a cool, dry place.

Pests & Diseases
Generally trouble-free, but watch for:
• Slugs & snails: Hand-pick, trap, or use safe pellets
• Root/crown rot: Avoid overwatering; use raised beds in heavy soils
• Aphids or beetles: Spray with water, use insecticidal soap, or encourage beneficial insects
Good airflow, clean surroundings, and rich soil reduce most problems.

Safety
Caution: Rhubarb leaves are toxic and must not be eaten or composted. Discard safely and keep away from children and pets. If ingested, seek medical or veterinary advice.

The crown and stalks are safe to handle, but gloves are recommended for those with sensitive skin.

Supplied as a dormant crown.

Additional information

Botanical Name

Rheum x hybridum
Quantity in Pack

25 Crowns
Harvest Time

Harvest typically occurs from spring to summer, but timing can vary depending on your region, climate, and seasonal conditions. In warmer regions, harvesting may extend into early autumn. While Giant Victoria rhubarb is not typically known for year-round growth, it may continue producing for longer periods in subtropical areas if well established and grown in ideal conditions. It remains best suited to regions with a defined winter dormancy, where it tends to thrive and deliver reliable harvests.
Planting Time

Plant crowns from winter to early spring. In warmer climates with mild winters and early summers, aim to plant from late autumn through winter so roots can establish before the heat. In cooler climates, plant in late winter to early spring once the risk of frost has passed, as newly planted crowns are best established in frost-free soil. Emerging buds can be damaged by cold snaps.
Planting Depth

Position the crown so the base sits just below soil level, with the upper section — including any visible bud or tip — slightly exposed above the surface. If no buds are immediately visible, don’t worry — they often emerge from areas surrounding the crown and may be hidden beneath the brown, leafy material. These will still grow if lightly buried. However, the crown itself should still be positioned just below the soil surface, with the top slightly exposed to avoid rot and encourage strong growth.
Planting Width

Space 1-1.5 metres apart.
Soil

Rhubarb prefers rich, well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter. Before planting, improve the soil with compost or aged manure to support strong, lasting growth. Each year, replenish the soil by adding more compost to maintain fertility and structure. In heavy soils, consider planting in raised beds to improve drainage and prevent rot. For containers, use a high-quality potting mix enriched with compost, and refresh the top layer annually to keep the soil fertile and well-structured.
How to Plant

Rhubarb prefers full sun, but in areas with hot afternoons, some part shade can help reduce stress and moisture loss. For best results, choose a position that is guaranteed to receive morning sun.

Prepare the soil by loosening it to at least 30 cm deep and working in plenty of compost or aged manure. Position the crown so the base sits just below soil level, but the upper part of the crown — including the top bud — remains visible above the surface. Avoid burying all of the crown, as this can lead to rot. Rhubarb grows from a crown with buds that emerge from the top—these are typically rounded and red or pink, sometimes with hints of green, and will develop into the plant’s stems and leaves. Any lower buds may sit beneath the soil and will still grow, but avoid planting so deeply that all buds are buried.

If planting more than one rhubarb crown, ensure each has plenty of space to grow. Good spacing allows airflow around the plants, reducing the risk of disease and giving each crown room to develop a full, productive clump. Space crowns 1–1.5 metres apart.

Apply around one cup of general-purpose fertiliser per plant. This can be mixed into the soil before planting or sprinkled on top and gently worked in, keeping it well clear of the crown and buds to prevent damage. Once planted, mulch generously around the base using straw, sugarcane mulch, or compost to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Keep mulch a few centimetres away from the crown to reduce the risk of rot. Water thoroughly after mulching to help settle the soil and encourage root growth.

When planting rhubarb in containers, choose large pots at least 50–60 cm wide and deep to support their long-term growth and deep root system. Use a premium potting mix enriched with compost, and position one crown per pot so the base sits just below the surface and the top bud and upper crown remain exposed. Water thoroughly after planting and mulch lightly, keeping it clear of the crown.
Watering

Water newly planted crowns well after planting to help settle the soil and encourage root growth. In the weeks before new growth appears, keep the soil lightly moist, especially in dry conditions, to prevent the crown from drying out.

During the active growing season, rhubarb requires consistent moisture to support strong stems and healthy leaves. Water regularly, especially during warm or dry periods, aiming to keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Deep watering is best to encourage deep root development.

As growth slows toward late autumn, reduce watering. Once the plant enters dormancy and the leaves have died back, little to no water is needed. In dry regions or extended drought, occasional light watering may help prevent the crown from becoming overly dry, but avoid soggy conditions during dormancy.
Fertilise

Fertilise at planting by mixing compost or aged manure into the soil and applying around one cup of balanced organic fertiliser per crown, keeping it away from the crown and buds. In following seasons, apply a balanced organic fertiliser in early spring to support strong new growth, and add compost to improve soil health and boost nutrient levels. If the winter mulch has broken down or lacked nutrients, top up with fresh compost and reapply mulch to prepare the plant for the growing season.
Division

Divide rhubarb crowns every 4–5 years in late autumn or winter to rejuvenate growth and prevent overcrowding. Division helps maintain plant vigour and can also be used to propagate new plants. Wait until the plant is dormant and the leaves have fully died back. Using a garden fork, gently lift the entire crown from the soil, taking care not to damage the roots.

Once lifted, brush off excess soil and inspect the crown. Use a clean, sharp knife or spade to divide it into sections. Each division should have at least one strong bud (or eye) and a healthy portion of root. Remove and discard any old, woody, or rotting parts of the crown.

Replant divisions straight away if the soil is prepared and conditions are suitable. If replanting is delayed, store divisions in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place for up to a few weeks — ideally in slightly damp sawdust or wrapped in newspaper to prevent them from drying out completely. When planting, treat divisions like new crowns, following standard planting depth and care instructions.
Harvest

Do not harvest any stalks in the first year. This allows the crown to establish strong roots and energy reserves for future productivity. In the second year, harvest lightly — just a few mature stalks over several weeks. From the third year onwards, harvest more freely over a 6–8 week period in spring and summer, extending into early autumn in warmer areas. Pick stalks when they’re 30–40 cm long with open leaves. Gently twist and pull — don’t cut — to avoid rot.

Always leave 4–6 stalks on the plant to maintain vigour. Stop harvesting by late summer in cooler climates and early autumn in warmer areas, or sooner if stalks thin or growth slows.

While Giant Victoria isn’t typically known for year-round growth, it can produce leafy growth throughout the year in subtropical climates if well established and grown in ideal conditions. It performs best in regions with a defined winter dormancy. Regardless of climate, spring and summer provide the best harvests.

Even in areas where plants stay leafy through winter, allow them to rest by pausing harvests when growth slows. This lets the crown store energy for the next season.

In late autumn, trim yellowing foliage and clear debris to prevent fungal issues. In cold, temperate, and arid climates, plants go dormant over winter. Apply a light mulch to protect the crown — especially in cold, wet, or dry areas. Remove mulch as buds emerge in late winter or early spring.

Rhubarb stalks are ideal for crumbles, pies, jams, sauces, chutneys, and syrups. Surplus stalks freeze well. Only the stalks are edible — leaves are toxic and must be discarded.

Maintain good airflow, water at the base, and mulch to reduce weeds and soil splash. Remove damaged leaves as needed. Rhubarb is low-maintenance but may attract slugs, snails, or aphids — use barriers or natural sprays if required.
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