How to Grow French Sorrels USA

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 59°F (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)

French sorrel in the USA: climate data

Dates are the median 32°F freeze dates and freeze-free days from NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020; zones come from the USDA 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map (ZIP code of each city centre).

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

1. North Carolina State University Extension (Plant Toolbox) - Rumex scutatus (Buckler Leaved Sorrel, French Sorrel, Garden Sorrel, Narrow-leaved Dock, Spinach-Dock)

   Light: full sun or partial shade. Soil: average, medium, well-drained, tolerates clay/loam/sand across acid-alkaline pH. Size: 1.5-2ft height, 1.3-3ft spread, low-growing clump. Hardiness: USDA zones 4a-9b. Native range: Europe to Southwest Siberia, south to Iran. Propagation: seed, self-seeds readily. Pests/diseases: none documented. Edibility: leaves used in salads, soups and sauces, tart flavour from oxalic acid; remove flowers promptly to keep leaf production going. Toxicity: flagged as a concern for cats, dogs and horses; can cause contact dermatitis. Growing notes: drought and wind tolerant once established, does not tolerate maritime salt, low maintenance, medium growth rate.

These source is specific to this region. 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.