How to Grow Sorrel USA

Soil & Growing Conditions

Soil pH range

5.5 6.8

Span reflects genuine variation between the cited authorities, not a single agreed figure.

Growth Stages

Stage	BBCH	Notes
Sowing and germination	0	Sow indoors in spring or outdoors mid-spring to early summer, about 1cm deep, in fertile moisture-retentive soil in sun or partial shade; germination can take several weeks (RHS).
Thinning and establishment	1	Thin seedlings to 20-30cm apart and water regularly through dry spells until plants establish (RHS).
Leaf harvest	4	Pick young leaves from the first spring growth right through into autumn; frequent picking encourages tender new growth. Leaves can be ready within about 8 weeks of sowing (RHS).
Flower removal and clump maintenance	5	Snip out flower stems as they appear to keep leaf production going and prevent self-seeding; mulch each year in late winter or early spring, and divide congested clumps every four or five years (RHS).

Quick Facts

Factor	Value
Soil pH	5.5 - 6.8
Sunlight	3-3 hours direct sun
Germination temp	59°F (15°C)
Soil texture	Fertile, moisture-retentive; tolerates most soil types
Drainage	Good drainage
Lifecycle	perennial
Edible parts	leaves

At a Glance

Harvest & Storage

When to pick: Young sorrel leaves can be harvested from when new growth starts in spring right through into autumn. Regular picking produces tender leaves; older foliage becomes tough and bitter (RHS)

Storage

Best used fresh; remove seed stalks that emerge to keep plant productive (UMN)

Pests

Slugs

Gastropoda (slugs, various spp.)

Snails

Gastropoda (snails, various spp.)

Aphids

Aphididae (various spp.)

What the research guides add

Sorrel is a perennial leaf herb, and the Missouri Botanical Garden names the milder alternative that many cooks prefer.

• A perennial herb grown mainly for its leaves, which are used in salads and cooking; plants reach about 2 feet tall with basal clumps of 4 to 6 inch arrowhead-shaped leaves. (Missouri Botanical Garden)
• The leaves have a tangy, acidic, sour-lemony flavour and the youngest leaves have the best flavour. (Missouri Botanical Garden)
• It self-seeds and can spread in the garden. Many food experts prefer French sorrel (Rumex scutatus) for culinary purposes. (Missouri Botanical Garden)

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

• Missouri Botanical Garden: Rumex acetosa (Plant Finder)

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

Sources

1. University of Minnesota Extension - Growing sorrel in home gardens | UMN Extension

These source is specific to this region. The full list of 5 sources behind this guide (GBIF, Royal Horticultural Society, University of Minnesota Extension) is in the references of our UK guide to sorrel; they describe the plant itself, which is the same wherever it grows.