How to grow sorrel
Family Polygonaceae. Hardy to USDA hardiness zone 3a+ (U.S. Department of Agriculture). Full sun to part shade. Ready in 60 days (perennial).
Sun
Full sun to part shade
Spacing
8-12 in
Days to harvest
60 days (perennial)
Hardiness
Zone 3a+
What growers actually recorded
Loading zone 7b results…
When to plant sorrel
- Start indoors: ~6 weeks before last frost.
- Transplant out: ~-2 weeks after last frost.
- Direct sow: ~-3 weeks after last frost.
Companion plants for sorrel
Plant with: Strawberry, Chervil.
Common pests & problems
Rarely bothered.
Feeding & fertilizer
N-P-K ratio: High N (10-5-5): rhubarb is a heavy feeder
Organic options: 4 in aged manure over the crown each spring · Blood meal as leaves push · Compost again after harvest
When to feed: Feed hard in early spring, then once more after the last pull.
Watch for: Thin, short stalks = the crown is hungry or overcrowded; divide every 5 years.
N = nitrogen (leaves), P = phosphorus (roots and flowers), K = potassium (fruit and disease resistance). How to read a fertilizer label →
Grower's tip
Snip flower stalks as they appear to keep leaves tender; the lemony tang fades if the plant is allowed to bolt.
When to plant sorrel in your zone
Free month-by-month sowing and transplanting lists, built from frost dates for your USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) hardiness zone.
Soil & water for sorrel
Soil & pH
6.0-6.8
Deep, rich, moisture-retentive loam.
Compost 3 in + aged manure at planting. Rhubarb is a heavy feeder for a perennial; top-dress every spring.
Watering
1-1.5 in / week during active growth
Deep soak weekly. Mulch heavily to keep roots cool.
Thin stalks = time to divide (every 5-7 years) or feed harder.
Knowing when to harvest
- Harvest young leaves at 3-4 in for the mildest lemony tang; older leaves grow noticeably more sour and tougher.
- As a perennial, sorrel can be cut repeatedly through the growing season for years from the same crown.
- Cut off flower stalks as they appear to keep the plant producing tender leaves rather than going to seed.
Storing & keeping
Refrigerate unwashed in a perforated bag at 32-40°F for about a week. Its sharp, oxalic-acid tang is often preserved by cooking down into a puree and freezing, a traditional method for keeping a supply through winter.
What to expect
Per plant: 0.5-1 lb per season from an established perennial crown
Troubleshooting sorrel
Leaves turn increasingly bitter through summer
Likely cause: Heat and the plant's push toward flowering
What to do: Cut back flower stalks regularly and harvest the youngest leaves; some gardeners cut the whole plant back hard mid-summer to force tender regrowth.
Rust-colored spots on leaves
Likely cause: Rust fungus, more common in humid conditions with poor airflow
What to do: Space plants for airflow and remove affected leaves promptly.
Varieties worth growing
Common Sorrel (Rumex acetosa)
Classic sharp, lemony-tart perennial green used widely in French cooking.
Red-Veined Sorrel
Milder flavor with striking red leaf veining, often grown as much for looks as for the kitchen.
Growing sorrel in containers
10 in deep pot; a good perennial choice for containers since it returns reliably year after year with minimal care.
Nutrition
Vitamin K, calcium, fiber. Leaves are toxic (oxalic acid), never eat.
Common questions
Is sorrel safe to eat in large quantities?
Like rhubarb and spinach, sorrel contains oxalic acid; moderate culinary amounts are safe for most people, but those prone to kidney stones should limit intake.
Does sorrel come back every year?
Yes, it is a hardy perennial in most temperate climates and will resprout from the same crown each spring for several years.
Where these numbers come from
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023 revision). Zone assignment and the 30-year normals behind every cold-hardiness figure.
- NOAA NCEI 1991-2020 Climate Normals. Frost dates, growing-season length, and the probability bands on both.
- Cornell, UMN, and UC Davis Cooperative Extension crop guides. Spacing, days to maturity, soil pH targets, and per-plant yield ranges.
- USDA FSIS / FDA Produce Safety guidance. Wash, cure, and cold-storage handling numbers.
Ranges are regional guidance, not a promise for your yard. Your own logged results always override the published range.