Why can't you put rhubarb leaves on the compost heap?

Why can't you put rhubarb leaves on the compost heap?

It turns out you can! While we don't advise eating rhubarb leaves, it turns out that you can compost them; we explain why here.

Luis Villazon

Asked by: Chai Jin, Poole

Rhubarb leaves contain oxalic acid, which is corrosive and a kidney toxin, but this has no significant effect on soil micro-organisms. The leaves will decompose perfectly well as the amount of oxalic acid is low and the molecule doesn't survive well outside of the plant cells. Eating plants grown in rhubarb-leaf compost is also perfectly safe.

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Luis Villazon

Q&A expert

Luis trained as a zoologist, but now works as a science and technology educator. In his spare time he builds 3D-printed robots, in the hope that he will be spared when the revolution inevitably comes.
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