How to Grow Rhubarb 'Canada Red' Valentine

Rhubarb 'Canada Red' Valentine

Rheum rhabarbarum 'Canada Red' Valentine

vegetable

A perennial rhubarb cultivar prized for its deep red stalks and excellent flavor. 'Canada Red' Valentine produces vibrant crimson petioles that remain red throughout cooking without fading to green. This hardy variety is exceptionally cold-tolerant and well-suited to northern climates.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily for best stalk color and vigor

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Water: Consistent moisture during growing season; 1-1.5 inches per week. Reduce watering in fall. Water at soil level to prevent crown rot. Provide excellent drainage to prevent waterlogging.

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Spacing: 36 inches

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Days to maturity: Cannot harvest in year 1; begin light harvest in year 2, full harvest by year 3

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Planting depth: Plant crowns with buds 1-2 inches below soil surface; space 3 feet apart

Soil

Type: Well-draining, rich loamy soil with high organic matter content

pH: 6.0-6.8

Amendments:

Compost Well-rotted manure Peat moss or coco coir Bone meal

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 2-7, with exceptional cold hardiness to zone 2

2a 2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a

Growth Stages

Establishment (Year 1)

Full growing season (spring to fall)

Initial crown development with 3-5 large leaves emerging from the crown; reddish petioles beginning to show color

Do not harvest. Remove flower stalks (seed heads) immediately to direct energy to root development. Water regularly during dry spells. Mulch around crown with 2-3 inches of compost.

Early Production (Year 2)

8-10 weeks of light harvest

Established crown producing multiple thick, deeply red petioles; plant reaches 24-30 inches in height

Begin light harvesting in late spring (harvest only 1/3 of stalks). Continue removing flower stalks. Apply balanced fertilizer in early spring and again in early summer.

Full Production (Year 3+)

8-10 weeks of spring/early summer harvest

Mature plant producing abundant thick, vibrant crimson stalks with excellent pigmentation; leaf blades large and robust

Harvest aggressively but sustainably (remove up to 2/3 of stalks). Fertilize in spring and early summer. Divide crowns every 5-7 years when vigor declines.

Dormancy (Late Summer-Winter)

June through April

Plant stops producing new stalks; leaves yellow and die back; crown goes dormant

Stop harvesting by late June to allow plant to store energy. Remove dead foliage in fall. Apply 2-3 inches of compost mulch for winter protection, especially in zone 2.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Garlic Onions Strawberries Brassicas (cabbage, broccoli) Lettuce Beans

Avoid planting near:

Potatoes Fennel Dock (related weed)

Common Pests

Remove and destroy affected stalks; apply neem oil in spring; encourage beneficial insects; remove plant debris
Hand-pick affected leaves; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; maintain plant vigor
Ensure excellent drainage; avoid overwatering; do not mulch directly against crown; plant in raised beds if soil stays wet
Prevent by maintaining dry crown area; improve drainage; remove affected portions with sterile knife; apply sulfur dust

Uses

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Pies, Cobblers & Desserts

Culinary

The tart, intense flavor and vibrant red color make Canada Red Valentine ideal for classic rhubarb pies, crisps, and cobblers. The deep pigmentation remains brilliant even after cooking, creating visually stunning desserts without added colorants. [source]

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Jams, Compotes & Sauces

Culinary

Makes exceptional jam, sauce, and compote with natural tartness that pairs well with strawberries, ginger, and vanilla. The high pectin content in rhubarb makes jam-making successful with minimal additives. [source]

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Digestive & Laxative Traditional Use

Medicinal

Rhubarb has been used in traditional medicine, particularly in Chinese herbal practice, for digestive support and gentle laxative effects. The plant contains sennosides and anthraquinones with documented effects on bowel regularity. [source]

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Natural Cleaning & Dye

Household

The leaves contain compounds useful for making natural cleaning solutions and plant-based dyes for textiles. Historically used to create yellow and red dyes in textile production. [source]

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Pollinator Support

Wildlife

When allowed to flower (typically in year 2+), rhubarb produces tall stalks with clusters of small flowers that attract bees and other pollinators. Provides early season nectar source. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Begin harvesting in late spring of year 2 when stalks are at least 12 inches long. Harvest by grasping stalk near base and twisting/pulling upward rather than cutting to avoid damage. Never harvest more than 1/3 of stalks in year 2, increasing to 2/3 in subsequent years. Stop harvesting by late June (or early July in cooler zones) to allow plant to rebuild reserves. Discard leaves (they contain oxalic acid and are toxic). Stalks are best when firm and deeply colored.

Fun Facts

🌱 Canada Red Valentine is specifically bred for northern gardeners and can survive winter temperatures below -40°F with proper mulching, making it one of the hardiest rhubarb varieties available.
🌱 Despite its name, rhubarb is botanically a vegetable (the leaf petiole), not a fruit, but it's treated as a fruit culinarily. The leaves are toxic due to high oxalic acid content and should never be eaten.
🌱 A mature rhubarb plant can live for 15-20+ years and may produce for decades with minimal care, making it one of the longest-producing perennial crops in the garden.

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