How to Grow French Sorrels

Growth Stages

Stage	BBCH	Notes
Sowing and planting	0	RHS: sow seed indoors in spring or outdoors mid-spring to early summer, about 1cm deep, germinating in 1-2 weeks at 15°C; plant out young stock 20-30cm apart. NC State: seed sown in the garden in early spring, about 1in deep; the plant self-seeds readily.
Establishment	3	RHS: water newly planted stock through dry spells until well-rooted; container plants need regular moisture checks; apply an annual mulch in late winter or early spring.
Leaf production	3	RHS and NC State both advise removing flower stems promptly to keep the plant channelling energy into fresh leaf growth rather than seed.
Harvest and division	8	RHS: harvest young leaves spring through autumn, picking regularly to keep growth tender; divide established clumps every four to five years to maintain productivity.

Quick Facts

Factor	Value
Drainage	Rich, fertile preferred, tolerates most well-drained soil (RHS); NC State: average, medium, well-drained.
Lifecycle	Low-growing, mat-forming herbaceous perennial. NC State gives USDA zones 4a-9b.
Edible parts	leaves

At a Glance

Harvest & Storage

When to pick: RHS: gather young leaves from spring through autumn; regular harvesting promotes tender new growth. NC State: young leaves taste better than older ones.

Storage

Best used fresh; leaves owe their tart flavour to oxalic acid, so NC State flags moderating quantities eaten (concern noted specifically for pets/livestock).

Pests

Aphids

low

Aphididae (various spp.)

RHS: occasional visitor to young foliage, rarely needing treatment. NC State reports no known pest problems.

Snails

low

Gastropoda (snails, various spp.)

RHS: occasional visitor to young foliage, rarely needing treatment.

Slugs

low

Gastropoda (slugs, various spp.)

RHS: occasional visitor to young foliage, rarely needing treatment. NC State reports no known pest problems -- a mild disagreement kept honest rather than merged.

What the research guides add

French sorrel is the milder of the sorrels, and NC State notes it is a hardy plant.

• A low-growing, creeping herbaceous perennial that usually reaches 2 feet tall from a 3-foot-wide clump; many food experts prefer it to other sorrels because it is less acidic. (NC State Extension)
• It does best in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun, and can tolerate drought, frost and wind once established, but not maritime salt. (NC State Extension)
• It self-seeds and can spread; remove flowers immediately to promote leaf growth. (NC State Extension)

Sources for this section

• NC State Extension: Rumex scutatus (Plant Toolbox)

Section researched and checked on 25 October 2026 by the SoilCommander Editorial Team. How we check facts: editorial policy.

Sources

The full list of 2 sources behind this guide (North Carolina State University Extension (Plant Toolbox), Royal Horticultural Society) is in the references of our UK guide to french sorrel; they describe the plant itself, which is the same wherever it grows.