Most Common Rhubarb Pests & Diseases

You have problems with rhubarb pests or diseases in your garden or on your balcony?

Make sure to find easy tips on how to get rid of rhubarb plant diseases and pests in this article!

Table of Contents

Rhubarb Pests

Pest	How to control it
Slugs and snails	Slugs and snails often try to feed on rhubarb plants. Fortunately, there are many easy ways how to control snails and slugs in your garden.
Aphids	Aphids are also quite common on rhubarb. Hence, make sure to also get tips and tricks on how to get rid of aphids.
Curculio beetles	Curculio beetles are also sometimes present when growing rhubarb. You can get rid of those beetles using insecticidal soap or pesticides.
Flea beetles	You can get rid of flea beetles using diatomite or pesticides from the garden center.
Stem borers	Stem borers may also try feeding on rhubarb. You can deter stem borers using diatomite, neem oil or insecticidal soap.
Caterpillars	Caterpillars also frequently try to feed on rhubarb plants. Hence, also make sure to inform yourself on how to control caterpillars in your garden.
Loopers	Loopers may also be present when growing rhubarb. Fortunately, there are also easy ways how to get rid of loopers.

Disease	How to control it
Mold	Mold is quite common on rhubarb plants if you don’t care for them properly. Hence, make sure to get some information on how to get rid of plant mold.
Crown rot	Crown rot may also become a problem on rhubarb plants. If you spot crown rot, you should slow down your watering schedule to mitigate the problem.
Rust	Rust may also be another issue you have to deal with when growing rhubarb. Fortunately, there are simple but yet effective ways how to get rid of plant rust.
Damping-off	Damping-off also occurs if rhubarb seedlings don’t get optimal germination conditions. Hence, make sure to improve lighting and soil conditions as best as possible to prevent damping off of your plants.
Leaf spot	Bacterial leaf spot may also become a problem when growing rhubarb. Thus, also inform yourself on how to get rid of leaf spot on your garden plants.
Botrytis	Botrytis is a fungal disease. Consequently, you can get rid of it using fungicides from the garden center.
Anthracnose	Anthracnose may also become an issue when growing rhubarb. You can control Anthracnose using fungicides from the garden center.
Root rot	Root rot often occurs if you water your plants too often. Thus, slow down your watering schedule to control root rot in a simple manner.

As you can see, getting rid of rhubarb pests and plant diseases is not difficult at all.

You should also have a look at my rhubarb grower’s guide and my growing rhubarb FAQ section if you want to learn more about growing rhubarb in general.

Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhubarb

Own experience.