Rhubarb is one of those plants that is very low maintenance but has big reward for gardeners that choose to grow it. The iconic red and green stems have become a staple in British cuisine, with rhubarb and custard sweets, rhubarb crumble, and fruity jams inspired by the sweet yet sour flavour. However the fruit didn't come to England until the 1600s when it was introduced for its medicinal qualities.

Those that have leafy green rhubarb growing at home may be wondering what to do with the plant as it bears delicious fruit, and gardening experts at Thomson and Morgan have the answer. They have urged gardeners to "keep an eye on rhubarb plants" to determine whether they're getting enough water. 

Watering seems like the easiest part of gardening to get right, but in fact, it's often where many people go wrong.

Simply relying on rainfall alone won't cut it for those growing certain fruits and vegetables, rhubarb included. 

The Thomson and Morgan team suggest that "dry periods" are problematic for the plant as it compromises the fruit, even when followed by periods of rain.

"You don’t want the soil to completely dry out," they warned.

However, watering rhubarb gets a bit more complicated depending on the type of plant you're growing, says the Royal Horticultural Society.

Plants that are three years older or more are classed as established, and rarely need watering. But young plants and those in containers require regular watering to keep the delicious fruit coming throughout summer.

How often to water rhubarb

Newly planted rhubarb needs moist soil constantly to grow, so the RHS suggests watering these plants regularly throughout their first growing season. Continue to do this until the plant is well rooted, which is easy to spot.

Look for a robust crown, which is the base of the plant. It should have firm, white roots.

Meanwhile, established rhubarb plants should be watered "only during prolonged dry periods in summer". If you have very light, free-draining soil, watering established plants is also recommended.

The RHS warned: "Growth will slow down and even stop if conditions are too hot and dry."

Rhubarb grown in large pots or containers must be watered regularly throughout the growing season, which is typically from April to late summer.

All kinds of rhubarb plants can be susceptible to crown rot if the soil is consistently too wet, so ensure the soil has good drainage and avoid saturating the soil.

Before watering, check the soil moisture by inserting a finger into the soil or using a moisture meter.

Mulching around the plant helps retain moisture and keeps the soil cooler, reducing the need for frequent watering.