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Herbaceous Perennial

Rumex scutatus

French sorrel

A low-growing perennial with a creeping habit and spear-shaped grey-green leaves. Small greenish-red flowers are produced in summer, but the plant is usually grown for its edible leaves which can be cut for salads

Other common names

buckler-shaped sorrel
garden sorrel

Synonyms

Rumex scutatus var. hastilis
Rumex scutatus var. hastifolius

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Ultimate height

0.1–0.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

1–1.5 metres

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–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: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Matforming
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

How to grow

Cultivation

Thrives in rich, fertile soil but will tolerate almost any well-drained soil in full sun or light shade

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in situ, may self-seed in place if flowers are left to seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Patio and container plants
Ground cover

Pruning

Young leaves can be harvested as a 'cut and come again' crop. If growing for foliage it is best to remove any flowering stalks that appear

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and aphids

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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