Rhubarb Seed Characteristics: Hybrids Don’t Come True

Rhubarb seeds from hybrid plants produce offspring with variable traits (color, stalk thickness, bolting tendency, flavor) that are usually inferior to the parent.

What Varies

• Stalk color (red/green), thickness, height.
• Time to bolt (flower).
• Flavor, texture, storage life.

For Consistency

Divide crowns of named cultivars. Heirloom/open-pollinated seeds are more reliable but still variable.