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Rhubarb, or Rheum rhabarbarum is a tasty spring and early summer treat. But only the stalks are edible. The level of oxalic acid is so high in the leaves that they are poisonous and cannot be eaten.
But that doesn’t mean that they need to be tossed in the trash. Here are 7 great ways to use rhubarb leaves:
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Compost Them
It is perfectly safe to compost rhubarb leaves. Most of the oxalic acid will be broken down and the poison is not transferred to other plants through the soil, nor will it affect soil microorganisms. Go ahead and throw them in your compost. They will decompose and help to build your garden soil.
And did you know that you can also compost weeds? There are some things to consider, but they can be safely composted.
Use Rhubarb Leaves as Mulch
The leaves of rhubarb can grow quite large which makes it easy to just lay them down as mulch between plants. They do a nice job of temporarily blocking weeds. They do decompose quickly and will need to be replaced. And like composting them, it is perfectly safe to use them in the garden. We love to use them in our lasagna garden.
Make a Bird Bath
Have you heard of hypertufa? It’s a lightweight faux rock and can be used to make flowerpots or bird baths. A form is needed, and for my birdbath I used a large rhubarb leaf. Learn how I did it here. It’s a fun project!
Create Stepping Stones For Your Garden
Stepping stones are an attractive addition to your garden and help to keep your soil from compacting. Learn to make your own using rhubarb and other large leaves from Garden Therapy.
Organic Garden Pesticide
Yes, rhubarb leaf can be used to make an effective, organic pesticide. It’s easy to make and can be used to control leaf eating pests. Just be sure not to use it right before harvest because rhubarb leaf is poisonous. Learn how to make it at Reformation Acres.
Mordant for Dyeing Fibers and Fabrics
For those of you who’d like to try your hand at dyeing fabric with plants, rhubarb may be just what you are looking for. Many plants produce color, but that color may quickly wash away. A mordant will help the color bind to the fabric. Because rhubarb is high in oxalic acid, it can be used as a mordant.
For more on creating natural colors for fibers and fabrics, be sure to check out A Garden to Dye For by Chris McLaughlin.
Clean Your Pots and Pans
So I haven’t tried this one, but the next time I burn something and can’t get my pot clean, I plan to run right out into my garden and harvest a rhubarb leaf. It is said that boiling the leaf in the pot will clean it up, spic and span!
Have you found any unusual ways to use the leaves of rhubarb?
More Great Gardening Posts
Plastic Mulch in the Garden: Friend or Foe?
Using Wood Chips in a Vegetable Garden
Growing Tomatoes: From Seed to Harvest
The Easy Way to Grow Raspberries
How to Grow, Harvest, and Cure Garlic
The Ins and Outs of Using Manure in Your Garden
Thank you for visiting Learning And Yearning. May "the LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace." Num 6:24-26
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rachel moody says
i walways whated to know what to do with the leave
i have been trying the last 5 years to get my rubarb in one place, not to be
moved again so they can finally become the monster plants i know they can be. well with all the stuff that has been plaguing tthe garden not the least of which is serious illness in the family. so now i have gotten that taken care of
it finally dawned no me where to put the rubarb perrmently, never to be moved again for massive amounts of it. so then i can make tons of the stuff. idea triggered by reading your article..thank you. so after i finally finish getting the garden in , i can do that for next year
Susan Vinskofski says
Wonderful; thanks for stopping by!!!
Jerry Y. says
I was told the rhubarb leaves were poisonous? if so wouldn’t boiling them in your pots and pans leave toxins that need to be washed out?
Susan Vinskofski says
You should certainly rinse well, Jerry. Thanks for stopping by!
Marie Sherman says
Oxalic acid is the main ingredient in Barkeeper’s Friend cleanser, so the cleaning ability makes total sense.
Susan Vinskofski says
Oh, interesting, Marie!
Penny R says
Barkeepers friend is the only thing that will remove rust from my porcelain sinks. I wonder if rubbing the leaves in the sink would do that? I see I have a mission today since I just picked rhubarb!
Susan Vinskofski says
I’m anxious to hear the result, Penny!
Sunny says
Yes Marie. I wondered if the makers of Barkeepers Friend use rhubarb leaves?. I thought of drying it and powdering it. BF works great.
Jean Samuel says
We have friends with cottages and outhouses who claim putting rhubarb leaves into the hole reduces the odour. Not tested myself but would say they are reliable folks. Perhaps speeds up the decomposition?
Susan Vinskofski says
Well, that’s very interesting because we own a little cottage with no running water and an outhouse. I think I’ll be testing this out!
Kim says
Can you feed to chickens?
Susan Vinskofski says
Hi Kim, my understanding is that it’s best not to feed them to chickens because of the high oxalic acid content, but I have heard people say that their chickens have eaten them with no ill effect. I’d be inclined to err on the side of caution.
Kerry says
My chickens have eaten them up, too… no problems here either. And they were free range so had plenty of options.
Susan says
Use boiling liquid to clean rock?!?
Susan Vinskofski says
I’m not quite sure what you are asking (or suggesting), Susan.
Gill says
Hi new on here, thought I’d ask your followers if they know how true this is..
. boiling Rhubarb leaves and using the strained cooled liquid to spray on plants as a insecticide…
lindsay says
Could you share the recipe for Ginger Spiced Rhubarb Custard?
fluffy says
Hi Susan .
As an avid mineral collector i use the rhubarb water to clean iron stain from rock crystals.
Susan Vinskofski says
It’s so useful!!!