This herbaceous perennial has a stout rhizome with upright foliage and forms a rounded clump. It has large dark green lobed leaves that arch outwards on a thick hollow stem and the tiny saucer shaped flowers appear in a dense cluster during early summer.

Hardiness zones 6 to 10

Rheum palmatumis naturally found in the western and northern China growing in scrubland or rocky places commonly associated with water courses on the slopes and in valleys from an altitude of 1,500 m (4,921 ft) to 4,400 m (14,436 ft).

It prefers an open sunny to semi-shaded position and grows in well-drained organic rich fertile moist sandy to heavy clay soils with a pH range from 6.5-7.0 and is frost and a drought tolerant.

Chinese Rhubarb is grown for its clumping habit and foliage. it is planted in small or herbal gardens as a specimen or used along perennial borders. It is also plated in woodland settings and can be cultivated in tubs or planter boxes. It is suitable for coastal and low-mountain regions and establishes in 1-2 years. Rhubarb is the most widely used herb in Chinese medicine and is cultivated commercially for this purpose. ID 3549

Rheum(RAY-um) palmatum(pahl-MAY-tum)


Polegonaceae (POL-ee-gon-AY-see-ee)