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Chard Rhubarb

Chard Rhubarb

Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla var. flavescens

vegetable

Chard Rhubarb, also called Rhubarb Chard or Red Stem Chard, is a leafy green vegetable featuring deep red or burgundy stems with crinkled dark green leaves. It's a cool-season crop that produces continuously throughout the growing season and is more cold-hardy than many other greens. The plant is prized for both its nutritional value and ornamental appeal in the garden.

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Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun to partial shade; prefers 6+ hours of direct sunlight daily
💧
Water: Consistent moisture; keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Water deeply 1-2 times per week depending on heat and rainfall. Mulch to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.
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Spacing: 12 inches
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Days to maturity: 50-60 days to first harvest; produces for 60+ days
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Planting depth: 0.5-1 inch for seeds; plant transplants at same depth as nursery pot

Soil

Type: Well-draining, fertile loamy soil rich in organic matter
pH: 6.0-7.5
Amendments:
Compost aged manure peat moss composted leaves

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 3-9, with best performance in cooler zones 4-8

2a 2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b

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Growth Stages

1

Germination & Seedling

2-3 weeks

Seeds sprout within 7-10 days. Seedlings develop their first true leaves with characteristic coloration.

Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy. Thin seedlings to 12 inches apart when they reach 2-3 inches tall. Provide bright light if growing indoors.

2

Vegetative Growth

3-4 weeks

Plant develops multiple leaves with increasingly prominent red or burgundy stems and deep green leaf blades.

Water regularly and maintain consistent moisture. Apply balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks or side-dress with compost. Remove any flowering stalks that appear.

3

Leaf Development & Expansion

2-3 weeks

Stems elongate and thicken; leaves grow larger and more abundant. Plant becomes bushier and more visually striking.

Continue regular watering and feeding. Mulch around base to suppress weeds and retain moisture. Can begin light harvesting of outer leaves.

4

Harvest-Ready & Production

2+ months

Plant reaches full size with mature stems 8-12 inches tall and abundant harvestable leaves; continues producing through season.

Harvest outer stems regularly to encourage continuous production. Water consistently during hot spells. Monitor for pests and diseases.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Beets spinach lettuce onions garlic nasturtiums marigolds dill mint

Avoid planting near:

Potatoes fennel pole beans

Common Pests

  • Remove affected leaves, use row covers on young plants, apply spinosad if infestation is severe, encourage beneficial insects

  • Spray with strong water stream, use insecticidal soap, apply neem oil, introduce ladybugs and parasitic wasps

  • Hand-pick if population is small, use floating row covers, apply kaolin clay spray, use neem oil

  • Increase humidity and water spray, apply miticide if needed, introduce predatory mites

  • and

    Hand-pick at dawn/dusk, use copper tape barriers, apply diatomaceous earth, use beer traps

Uses

🍳

Sautéed greens and stems

Culinary

The tender leaves and colorful stems are delicious sautéed with garlic and olive oil, steamed, or added to soups. The stems are milder and more tender than traditional rhubarb. Both leaves and stems can be eaten, unlike toxic rhubarb leaves. [source]

🍳

Raw salads and smoothies

Culinary

Young, tender leaves can be added raw to salads for a slightly earthy flavor and stunning visual appeal. Leaves can also be blended into smoothies for nutritional boost. [source]

💊

Nutritional supplementation

Medicinal

Chard Rhubarb is extremely nutrient-dense, containing vitamins K, A, C, iron, magnesium, and potassium. Traditionally used to support overall wellness and bone health. [source]

🏠

Natural dye source

Household

The vibrant red and burgundy stems can be used to create natural plant dyes for fabric and fiber arts projects. [source]

🎨

Ornamental garden feature

Craft

The striking contrast between deep green crinkled leaves and brilliant red stems makes Chard Rhubarb an attractive edible ornamental for decorative kitchen gardens and landscape beds. [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 when outer leaves reach 6-8 inches long (approximately 50-60 days after planting), typically 4-6 weeks after germination. Pinch or cut off outer stems at the base, leaving 3-4 inner leaves to continue growth. Harvest regularly (2-3 times per week) to encourage continuous production and prevent bolting. Younger leaves are more tender; older leaves become tougher but still edible. Harvest in the morning for best flavor and crispness. Plants will produce until frost or sustained temperatures above 85°F.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Chard Rhubarb is not actually rhubarb at all, but rather a variety of Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris); it earned the 'rhubarb' name from its deep red stems that superficially resemble rhubarb stalks.
  • 🌱 A single chard plant can produce harvestable leaves for 2-3+ months with proper harvesting, making it one of the most productive vegetables per plant in the garden.
  • 🌱 Chard is unusually cold-hardy and can tolerate light frosts; many gardeners in cooler climates grow it as a spring and fall crop, and it often survives mild winters under mulch or row covers.

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