Sorrel Rumex acetosa
Sorrel (Rumex acetosa) is a deciduous perennial herb in the Polygonaceae family, native to Europe and temperate Asia. It grows 30 cm–1 m (12 in–3.3 ft) tall and 30–50 cm (12–20 in) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -35 °C (-31 °F). Space plants about 30 cm (12 in) apart.
Plan Sorrel in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Sorrel at a glance
| Type | Perennial herb, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Polygonaceae |
| Mature height | 30 cm–1 m (12 in–3.3 ft) |
| Mature spread | 30–50 cm (12–20 in) |
| Spacing | 30 cm (12 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5.5–6.8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -35 °C (-31 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 3) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 28 °C (82 °F) |
| Flowering | from about May for 4–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Yes: young leaves |
| Native to | Europe and temperate Asia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇫🇷 France, 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany |
Is Sorrel toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: leaves (large amounts)
Leaves contain oxalic acid; eating a lot can irritate the gut and affect the kidneys.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Sorrel
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Questions about Sorrel
- How far apart should I plant Sorrel?
- About 30 cm (12 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 30–50 cm (12–20 in).
- Does Sorrel need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Sorrel need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Sorrel?
- It tolerates about -35 °C (-31 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 3.
- When does Sorrel flower?
- From about May for 4–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Sorrel poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people mildly toxic. Leaves contain oxalic acid; eating a lot can irritate the gut and affect the kidneys.
- What grows well with Sorrel?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Sorrel. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- Plants For A Future database, PFAF
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
Notes and assumptions
- Flower stems are usually cut to keep leaves tender; plants self-seed freely if left to flower.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Rhubarb Rheum x hybridum
- Vietnamese coriander Persicaria odorata
- California buckwheat Eriogonum fasciculatum
- Buckwheat Fagopyrum esculentum
- French sorrel (buckler-leaf sorrel) Rumex scutatus
- Japanese indigo (ai, dyer’s knotweed) Persicaria tinctoria
- Ornamental rhubarb (Chinese rhubarb) Rheum palmatum
- Himalayan fleeceflower (knotweed groundcover) Bistorta affinis