Rheum Species, Chinese Rhubarb

Rheumpalmatum var. tanguticum

Genus
Rheum (REE-um)
Synonym
Rheum palmatum var. tanguticum
Rheum rubrifolium
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage
Grown for foliage
Herbaceous
Smooth
Height
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
Spacing
6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
Danger
Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Bloom Color
Pink
Red
White/Near White
Bloom Time
Late Spring/Early Summer
Mid Summer
Other Details
Category
Perennials
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
Seed Collecting
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Juneau, Alaska

Knik-Fairview, Alaska

Lakes, Alaska

Meadow Lakes, Alaska

Palmer, Alaska

Tanaina, Alaska

Wasilla, Alaska

El Dorado Hills, California

Ithaca, New York

Monroe, Ohio

Indianola, Washington

Lake Forest Park, Washington

show all

Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

2
positives
2
neutrals
0
negative
Sort By:
Sort By:
B
B
Ithaca, NY (Zone 5a) | June 2017 | positive

I purchased this plant in a 1 gallon pot from a local nursery last summer and it did remarkably well in my mostly shade garden in thick w...Read More

F
(Zone 5b) | December 2011 | neutral

I garden in Calgary, Alberta, and the plant grows huge and beautiful. Then, some bug skeletonizes the leaves. I've taken the leaves to...Read More

L
L
| December 2011 | positive

I do not think the plant is really poisonous.
I was told that in higher quantities it may be purgative
I have used the leav...Read More

B
B
Baa
| January 2004 | neutral

An imposing foliage plant from China.

Has large, palmate, deeply toothed, dark green leaves that start out a very dark red...Read More

Featured
Red-shouldered Bostrichid
(Xylobiops basilaris)
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
(Coccyzus americanus)
Featured
Red-shouldered Bostrichid
(Xylobiops basilaris)
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
(Coccyzus americanus)