🌿 Sorrel (Garden)
Rumex acetosa
herbs
perennial
Polygonaceae
☀️ Sun
full sun to partial shade
💧 Water
moderate
🗺️ Zones
3-9
🧪 Soil pH
5.5-7.0
🪴 Soil Type
rich loam
🚿 Drainage
moist, well-drained
📏 Spacing
12-18 inches
📐 Height
12-24 inches
⏱️ Maturity
60 days (from seed), 30 days (from division)
Key:🤝 Grows well together❌ Keep apart☀️ Sun needs💧 Water🗺️ Hardiness zone
🤝 Companions (7)
Sorrel emerges early alongside asparagus; different harvest times and root depths prevent competition
Chives deter aphids from sorrel; both are early spring producers that complement each other in the kitchen
Comfrey's deep mineral mining feeds sorrel; sorrel's dense growth suppresses weeds around comfrey
Sorrel thrives in the partially shaded, acidic conditions under gooseberry bushes; living mulch protects soil
Both perennial, cold-hardy, and share similar soil preferences; sorrel fills space between rhubarb crowns
Sorrel's deep taproot brings up minerals for shallow-rooted strawberries; both thrive in slightly acidic soil
Creeping thyme suppresses weeds around sorrel without competing; both are perennial low-maintenance companions
⚠️ Keep Apart (2)
Both accumulate oxalates heavily; planting together can create toxic oxalate levels in soil for sensitive plants
Same family as beets , shared oxalate accumulation; also compete for similar soil nutrients as leafy greens
📝 Growing Notes
Extremely cold-hardy , one of the earliest greens in spring, often appearing through snow. Cut flower stalks to encourage leaf production. Divide every 3-4 years. French sorrel (Rumex scutatus) is milder. Leaves have a bright lemon-apple tang from oxalic acid. Perennial patch produces for 5-10+ years.
🛒 Buy Seeds & Plants
Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds
Johnny's Selected Seeds
Botanical Interests
True Leaf Market
Burpee
Territorial Seed Company
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