Ruibarbo
Rheum rhabarbarum
De un vistazo
Una verdura perenne con tallos ácidos y rojos. Solo los tallos son comestibles, las hojas son tóxicas.
Calendario de plantación y cosecha
Etapas de crecimiento
De la semilla a la cosecha
Reposo de la corona
Las coronas de ruibarbo descansan en reposo invernal y requieren más de 500 horas de exposición al frío por debajo de 5 °C para romper la dormancia e iniciar el crecimiento primaveral.
💡 Consejo de cuidado
Planta coronas o divisiones en reposo a principios de la primavera o a finales del otoño, con el punto de crecimiento 5 cm por debajo de la superficie del suelo. Cubre con un acolchado abundante para protegerlas en invierno.
Spring emergence of bright red rhubarb buds
Calendario de cuidado mensual
Qué hacer cada mes para tu Ruibarbo
Mayo
Mes actualPeak growth and harvest season for established plants (3+ years). Harvest by grasping stalks at the base and twisting with a pull — never cut with a knife. Remove no more than one-third of stalks at any time.
¿Sabías que?
Datos fascinantes sobre Ruibarbo
Rhubarb was classified as a fruit by a New York court in 1947 specifically to reduce import tariffs — botanically it is unambiguously a vegetable (we eat the leaf stalk, not the fruit).
El ruibarbo es perenne y necesita poco cuidado. Plante en primavera u otoño.
No coseche el primer año. Desde el 2º año coseche moderadamente.
Tender pink forced stalks grown in darkness
Rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum) is native to central Asia, with wild species growing across Siberia, Mongolia, and the mountainous regions of western China. For over 5,000 years, Chinese medicine used dried rhubarb root (from Rheum palmatum and R. officinale) as a powerful purgative and digestive remedy — it was one of the most valuable traded medicinal plants on the Silk Road, sometimes worth more than cinnamon, opium, or saffron.
Rhubarb reached Europe via the Silk Road, and for centuries was known exclusively as a medicine rather than a food. The culinary use of rhubarb stalks only developed in 17th-18th century Britain, where cheap sugar from Caribbean colonies made it practical to sweeten the intensely tart stalks into pies, crumbles, and preserves. The technique of 'forcing' rhubarb — growing it in heated darkness to produce tender, sweet, early-season stalks — was accidentally discovered in 1817 at the Chelsea Physic Garden in London when soil was heaped over dormant crowns during construction.
By the Victorian era, rhubarb had become one of the most popular dessert ingredients in Britain, especially in the industrial north where the 'Rhubarb Triangle' of West Yorkshire produced vast quantities using coal-heated forcing sheds. Forced rhubarb from this region is now protected by EU PDO status. British and Northern European emigrants carried rhubarb to North America, Australia, and New Zealand, where it remains a cherished garden perennial. Today, rhubarb is experiencing a culinary renaissance, appearing in cocktails, savory sauces, and fine-dining desserts alongside its traditional role in pies and crumbles.
Plante coronas, semillas muy lentas.
Rico en nutrientes, pH 6,0-6,8.
Verifica Tu Zona
Verifica si Ruibarbo es adecuado para tu ubicación.
-20°C – 24°C
-4°F – 75°F
Rhubarb is a true cool-climate perennial that thrives between 10-20°C (50-68°F) and requires significant winter cold (500+ hours below 5°C) to break dormancy. Crowns survive winter temperatures to -30°C or colder with mulch protection. Growth stalls above 24°C (75°F) and stalks become thin, stringy, and bitter in sustained heat. Rhubarb performs poorly in warm climates (zones 8+) where winters are too mild to satisfy chilling requirements. It is one of the first garden crops to emerge each spring, thriving in the cool conditions that precede most vegetable planting.
Problemas comunes que afectan a Ruibarbo y cómo prevenirlos y tratarlos de forma orgánica.
Dividir plantas cada 5-6 años.
- 1Plant rhubarb crowns with the growing point exactly 5 cm below the soil surface — too shallow and they dry out, too deep and they rot. This is the single most critical factor for establishment success.
- 2Never harvest any stalks in the first year after planting — the plant needs every leaf to build the root reserves that will fuel decades of future production.
- 3Always twist and pull stalks from the base rather than cutting with a knife — cutting leaves a stub that can rot and introduce disease to the crown.
- 4Remove flower stalks immediately at the base whenever they appear — flowering diverts massive energy from stalk production and can weaken the plant for the following year.
- 5Stop all harvesting by late June (or after 8-10 weeks of picking) to allow the plant to rebuild root reserves through summer and autumn photosynthesis.
- 6Divide overcrowded clumps every 5-8 years in early spring or autumn — lift the crown and split into sections with 2-3 buds each. Replant immediately at the correct depth.
- 7Apply 10 cm of aged manure or compost as a mulch ring around (not on top of) the crown every spring — rhubarb is an extremely heavy feeder that rewards generous nutrition.
- 8For the sweetest forced rhubarb, cover a mature crown in January with a large bin or traditional forcing pot to exclude all light. Harvest the tender pink stalks in 6-8 weeks.
Coseche tallos de afuera hacia adentro. No más de 1/3 de la planta.
Brilliant crimson stalks ready for harvest
En refrigerador 1 semana. Puede congelarse.
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Información nutricional
Por porción de 100g
21
Calorías
Beneficios para la salud
- Excellent source of vitamin K (26% DV per cup) essential for blood clotting and bone metabolism.
- Very low in calories (21 per cup) making it an excellent addition to desserts without excessive caloric impact.
- Good source of calcium (86mg per cup), though some is bound by oxalic acid and unavailable for absorption.
- Rich in antioxidant compounds including anthocyanins (giving red color) and polyphenols with anti-inflammatory properties.
- Contains dietary fiber supporting digestive health, blood sugar regulation, and beneficial gut bacteria.
- Good source of manganese supporting bone health, blood sugar regulation, and antioxidant enzyme function.
💰 ¿Por qué cultivar tus propios?
Rhubarb is extraordinarily economical — a single crown division (free from a fellow gardener or €3-5 from a nursery) produces 2-5 kg of stalks annually for 15-20+ years with minimal care. At retail prices of €4-8/kg, a single plant yields €10-40 worth of rhubarb every year. Over its lifetime, one plant produces €200-800+ worth of rhubarb from a single initial planting — the best return on investment of any garden perennial.
Low-calorie source of vitamin K, calcium, and fiber
Recetas rápidas
Recetas sencillas con Ruibarbo frescos
Classic Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie
60 minThe quintessential early-summer pairing — tart rhubarb balanced by sweet strawberries in a flaky butter crust. A timeless dessert that showcases rhubarb at its best.
Quick Rhubarb Compote
15 minA simple, versatile sauce that transforms rhubarb into a ruby-red topping for yogurt, ice cream, pancakes, or oatmeal. Cooks down in minutes and keeps for a week.
Rhubarb Crumble
40 minA rustic, comforting British classic — tangy stewed rhubarb topped with a buttery oat crumble. Serve warm with custard or vanilla ice cream for the ultimate spring dessert.
Classic strawberry-rhubarb pie with lattice crust
Calculadora de Rendimiento y Espaciado
Vea cuántas plantas de Ruibarbo caben en su cama de jardín basándose en el espaciado recomendado de 90cm.
1
Ruibarbo plantas en una cama de 4×4 ft
1 columnas × 1 filas a 90cm de espaciado
Variedades populares
Algunas de las variedades de ruibarbo más populares para jardineros caseros, cada una con características únicas.
Victoria
Variedad clásica con tallos verdes.
Canada Red
Tallos rojos, más dulce.
En pasteles, mermeladas, compota. Siempre cocinar con azúcar.
¿Cuándo debo plantar Ruibarbo?
Planta Ruibarbo en Marzo, Abril. Toma aproximadamente 365 días para madurar, con cosecha típicamente en Abril, Mayo, Junio.
¿Cuáles son buenas plantas acompañantes para Ruibarbo?
Ruibarbo crece bien junto a Ajo, Cebolla, Repollo. El cultivo acompañante puede mejorar el crecimiento, sabor y control natural de plagas.
¿En qué zonas de rusticidad puede crecer Ruibarbo?
Ruibarbo prospera en zonas de rusticidad USDA 3 a 10. Con protección de invernadero, puede cultivarse en zonas 1 a 11.
¿Cuánto sol necesita Ruibarbo?
Ruibarbo requiere Sol parcial (3-6h). Esto significa 3-6 horas de luz solar, idealmente sol de mañana con sombra de tarde.
¿A qué distancia debo espaciar Ruibarbo?
Espacia las plantas de Ruibarbo a 90cm (35 pulgadas) para crecimiento óptimo y circulación de aire.
¿Qué plagas y enfermedades afectan a Ruibarbo?
Los problemas comunes incluyen Escarabajo del ruibarbo. La prevención a través de buenas prácticas de jardinería como rotación de cultivos, espaciado adecuado y cultivo acompañante es el mejor enfoque. Consulta la sección de plagas y enfermedades para más detalles.
¿Cómo almaceno Ruibarbo después de la cosecha?
En refrigerador 1 semana. Puede congelarse.
¿Cuáles son las mejores variedades de Ruibarbo para cultivar?
Las variedades populares incluyen Victoria, Canada Red. Cada una tiene características únicas adaptadas a diferentes condiciones de cultivo y preferencias culinarias. Consulta la sección de variedades para descripciones detalladas.
¿Qué suelo necesita Ruibarbo?
Rico en nutrientes, pH 6,0-6,8.
Are rhubarb leaves really poisonous?
Yes — rhubarb leaves contain high concentrations of oxalic acid and anthraquinone glycosides that can cause kidney failure in large doses. A lethal dose would require eating several kilograms of leaves, but even small amounts cause nausea, vomiting, and mouth/throat irritation. Always discard leaves completely and never eat them. The stalks contain much lower, safe levels of oxalic acid.
Why shouldn't I harvest rhubarb in the first year?
First-year rhubarb plants need every leaf to photosynthesize and build the massive root reserve system that powers decades of future production. Harvesting stalks removes leaves the plant desperately needs for establishment. Light harvesting (2-3 stalks only) can begin in year two, with full harvesting from year three onward.
Can I grow rhubarb in a warm climate?
Rhubarb requires 500+ hours of winter temperatures below 5°C (40°F) to break dormancy properly. In zones 8 and warmer, most varieties perform poorly or fail entirely. If you're in a marginal climate, try heat-tolerant varieties like 'Victoria' or 'Glaskin's Perpetual,' plant in afternoon shade, and mulch heavily to keep roots cool. In truly warm climates (zone 9+), rhubarb is generally not viable.
How do I force rhubarb for an early harvest?
In January, cover a mature crown (4+ years old) with a large upturned bin, bucket, or traditional terracotta forcing pot to completely exclude light. The plant produces pale pink, tender, sweet stalks in 6-8 weeks without photosynthesis. Forced stalks are sweeter and more tender than outdoor-grown rhubarb. Important: the forced crown will be exhausted and should not be harvested again that year. Rotate which crowns you force annually.
When should I divide my rhubarb plant?
Divide rhubarb when the center of the clump becomes crowded and stalk production declines, typically every 5-8 years. The best time is early spring (as buds are swelling) or autumn (after leaves die back). Lift the entire crown with a garden fork and cut it into sections with a sharp spade, ensuring each piece has 2-3 growing buds and a portion of root. Replant immediately at the same depth with generous compost.
Is rhubarb a fruit or a vegetable?
Botanically, rhubarb is unambiguously a vegetable — we eat the leaf stalk (petiole), not a fruit. However, in 1947 a United States court legally classified it as a fruit because it is used as one in cooking (pies, jams, desserts), and this classification reduced import tariffs. The EU also classifies rhubarb as a fruit for trade purposes. So it's a vegetable that's legally a fruit!
¿Listo para cultivar Ruibarbo?
Añade Ruibarbo a tu plan de jardín y comienza a diseñar tu diseño perfecto.
Vladimir Kusnezow
Jardinero y desarrollador de software
Jardinero de zona 6b. Cultivo hortalizas y frutas en tierra e hidroponía desde hace 6 años. Creé PlotMyGarden para planificar mis propios jardines.
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