Herb growing guide
Sorrel
Rumex acetosa
Sun
Sun to part shade
Season
Cool
Maturity
60 to 70 days
Water
Moderate
Soil pH
5.5 to 6.8
Spacing
12 to 18 in
Planting sorrel
Sow directly in early spring or plant divisions in spring or fall. Sorrel tolerates cold and is often harvestable before anything else wakes up.
Planting details
- Spacing: 12 to 18 inches
- Grown as a perennial; returns bigger each spring
- Young leaves are the tender, tangy ones
Growing requirements
Sorrel wants sun to part shade and consistently moist, slightly acidic soil. It is unfussy about care but resents drying out and alkaline ground.
Harvesting and care
Harvest outer leaves and cut out flower stalks as they form, since blooming sends energy away from the leaves. Divide the clump every few years when the center thins.
Common mistakes
- Letting seed heads ripen, since sorrel self-sows aggressively
- Harvesting old leaves, which are tough and unpleasantly sharp
- Planting in alkaline soil, where it sulks and yellows
Companion plants
Tuck sorrel into part-shaded corners or between other perennials, where its early growth fills the gap before summer crops.