Valentine Rhubarb is a cold-hardy perennial that thrives in zones 4 through 9, producing thick, deep red petioles that make it as striking visually as it is productive. This cultivar reaches 30 to 42 inches tall and requires a full year (365 days) from planting to first harvest, rewarding patient gardeners with robust yields year after year. Unlike many rhubarb varieties, Valentine produces remarkably few seed stalks, keeping the plant's energy focused on producing edible stems rather than flowers. The heat tolerance combined with cold hardiness makes this variety unusually reliable across diverse climates, from northern gardens to warmer southern regions.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
4-9
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Rich, Well-drained Loam With Good Organic Matter
Preferred Temp60-75°F
Growth Stats
42 in
Height
—
Width
36 in
Spacing
365–365
Days to Harvest
PeriodPerennial
TypeHerbaceous
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
4-9
Size
42in H x ?in W
Growth
Perennial
Care
High
Hover over chart points for details
Highlights
The deep red petioles of Valentine Rhubarb create an unmistakable garden presence, combining ornamental appeal with serious productivity. What distinguishes this cultivar is its combination of cold hardiness and heat tolerance alongside its tendency to produce far fewer seed stalks than other varieties, meaning less maintenance and more reliable harvests. A single established crown will produce for years, making it a long-term investment in your garden that requires just 36 inches of space.
Common Uses
Valentine Rhubarb's thick, deep red petioles are harvested for use in desserts, preserves, and compotes where their tart flavor and striking color shine. The stems work beautifully in pies, jams, and stewed preparations, and can be eaten fresh when young and tender, though rhubarb is typically cooked with sweetener to balance its natural tartness.
Growing Timeline
First Bloom
Early Spring
First Harvest
Mid-spring (Second Growing Season)
Last Harvest
Early Summer
Care Instructions
Transplant Outdoors
Valentine Rhubarb is sold as crowns ready for transplanting outdoors. Plant in early spring as soon as soil can be worked, spacing crowns 36 inches apart and 48 inches between rows. Set the crown so the top is just at soil level; planting too deep can lead to rot. Established plants will produce for many years without replanting.
Harvesting
Wait a full year (365 days) before harvesting from a newly planted crown to allow the plant to establish a strong root system. In subsequent years, begin harvesting when stems reach 10 to 12 inches long and are thick enough to grasp firmly. Harvest by grasping a stem at the base and pulling gently away from the crown; you can also cut stems with a knife. Continue harvesting throughout spring and early summer, stopping by mid-summer to allow the plant to rebuild reserves for the following year. The deep red color indicates mature, flavorful stems ready for picking.
Pruning
Remove seed stalks as they appear to direct the plant's energy toward stem production rather than flowering. Valentine Rhubarb produces few seed stalks compared to other cultivars, but removing any that do emerge keeps the plant focused on yielding thick, harvestable petioles. In late fall or early spring, remove any dead or damaged foliage to tidy the plant.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Scientific Classification
Rheum L.
Family
Polygonaceae
Genus
Rheum
Duration
Perennial
Growth Habit
Upright
Native Status
L48 (I)AK (I)CAN (I)