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Herbaceous PerennialHerbs - Culinary

Rumex acetosa

common sorrel

A hardy, clump-forming perennial herb with edible, sour-tasting, oblong leaves, arrow-shaped, 7-15cm long at the base. Small reddish flowers are produced in early summer in a narrow panicle or raceme up to 1.2m tall

Other common names

garden sorrel
green sauce
see morepatriot's blood
sharp dock
sorrel dock
sour leek
sorrel
sour dock
sour grass

Synonyms

Rumex pseudo-acetosa

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Ultimate height

0.5–1 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0–0.1 metre

Chalk

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Well–drained

pH

Acid, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

West–facing or South–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Polygonaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: Yes
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Columnar upright
Potentially harmful: Harmful if eaten in large amounts. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets: Harmful if eaten in large amounts - for further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus: Rumex can be annuals, biennials or perennials with mostly basal, simple leaves and erect panicles or racemes of small greenish or reddish flowers followed by reddish-brown, triangular fruits
Name status: Correct
Plant range: N Temperate Arctic Regions

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in any well-drained soil, in full sun. The plant self-seeds and deep tap roots may be difficult to eradicate or control. Young leaves can be eaten raw or added to salads, or boiled similar to spinach to accompany meals. See sorrel cultivation for more advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Wildlife gardens
Wildflower meadow

Pruning

Cut back after flowering. Cut back prior to seed setting to avoid self-seeding

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and aphids

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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