Garden Sorrel
Rumex acetosa and R. scutatus
Garden sorrel is a hardy perennial with arrow-shaped leaves and a sharp, lemony flavour used in soups, sauces for fish and salads. It is one of the first greens in spring.
Photo: Didier Descouens · CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Essential Care Requirements
Light
Full sun, Partial sun
Watering
Moderate
Keep moist for tender leaves.
Soil
Moist, fertile soil; pH 5.5–7.0.
Temperature and humidity
-30–30 °C · Moderate humidity
Feeding
Mulch with compost in spring.
Pruning and propagation
Propagate by seed, division
Remove flower stalks to keep leaves coming.
Safe to eat in normal amounts but high in oxalic acid; avoid large quantities, especially with kidney problems. Toxic to pets in quantity.
Top Cultivation Tips
Pick young leaves for the best flavour.
Red-veined sorrel is ornamental too.
Divide every 3–4 years.
Hardy in USDA zones 4–9.
Common problems
Aphids
Small, soft-bodied insects that cluster on new shoots and buds, sucking sap and leaving sticky honeydew behind.
How to treat it →DiseaseRust
A fungal disease that forms orange, brown or yellow powdery pustules, mainly on leaf undersides.
How to treat it →PestSnails and slugs
Night-feeding molluscs that chew ragged holes in leaves, seedlings and soft stems, especially in wet weather.
How to treat it →
