How to grow sorrel
Rumex acetosa · Polygonaceae · Vegetable
When to plant sorrel: the short answer
Start seeds indoors about 4 weeks before your last spring frost; plant out about 2 weeks before it; sow outdoors about 3 weeks before the last frost; for a fall crop, sow about 8 weeks before your first fall frost. Seeds germinate in soil from 50 to 80°F, fastest near 65°F.
Zone 5: plant out Apr 9 – Apr 26. Zone 7: plant out Mar 15 – Apr 1. Zone 9: plant out Jan 30 – Feb 16. See every zone.
Sorrel is a cool-season vegetable in the Polygonaceae family, grown either from a direct sowing or from transplants. It wants full sun, though it tolerates a little afternoon shade in hot regions and steady, even moisture. From sowing to first pick is about 55–70 days. It is one of the toughest crops here, standing through hard frost and often improving for it.
Grower’s note: A sharp, lemony perennial green - one planting returns for years. Pick young leaves; older ones toughen and turn very sour. Cut off flower stalks to keep it leafy. High in oxalic acid, so eat it in moderation.
Sowing
Sow about 0.25″ deep, into soil between 50–80°F — germination is quickest near 65°F. Germination takes a week or two (7–14 days). For an early crop, start seed indoors about 4 weeks before your last spring frost and grow it under bright light.
Spacing & layout
Give each plant about 8″ along the row with roughly 12″ between rows. On a square-foot grid that is 4 per square foot. Allow at least 12″ of loose, workable soil for the roots. It grows well in containers at least 10″ deep.
Fitting it to your season
Sorrel is a perennial: you plant it once and it comes back and crops for years, so it does not fit the annual sow-and-harvest cycle. Give it a permanent, well-prepared spot out of the way of yearly digging. It takes one to three seasons to reach a full harvest — take little or nothing the first year while the plant establishes.
Quick facts
Growth stages: how long sorrel takes to grow
From sowing to first harvest takes roughly 55-70 days (8-10 weeks), with seedlings appearing after 7-14 days in soil around 65°F. It is a perennial, so once established it comes back and crops year after year.
When to plant sorrel
When to plant sorrel by USDA zone
Dates worked out from each zone’s typical frost dates for 2026. Find your zone on the zone map, or pick your state below for dates from its own frost dates. Zones 11 and above are frost-free, so timing there depends on heat and rain instead.
| Zone | Last / first frost | Start indoors | Sow or plant out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | May 15 / Sep 15 | - | Apr 24 – May 11 |
| Zone 4 | May 10 / Sep 25 | - | Apr 19 – May 6 |
| Zone 5 | Apr 30 / Oct 5 | - | Apr 9 – Apr 26 |
| Zone 6 | Apr 15 / Oct 15 | - | Mar 25 – Apr 11 |
| Zone 7 | Apr 5 / Oct 25 | - | Mar 15 – Apr 1 |
| Zone 8 | Mar 20 / Nov 5 | - | Feb 27 – Mar 16 |
| Zone 9 | Feb 20 / Nov 30 | - | Jan 30 – Feb 16 |
| Zone 10 | Jan 30 / Dec 15 | - | Jan 9 – Jan 26 |
Companions
strawberry
No strong antagonists recorded.
Common problems
Pests: aphids, slugs, leaf miner.
Diseases & disorders: rust, leaf spot.
Same family (Polygonaceae)
Rotate these so they don’t follow each other in the same bed year to year.
Questions gardeners ask
When should I plant sorrel?
Start seeds indoors about 4 weeks before your last spring frost; plant out about 2 weeks before it; sow outdoors about 3 weeks before the last frost; for a fall crop, sow about 8 weeks before your first fall frost. Seeds germinate in soil from 50 to 80°F. The table on this page gives dates for each USDA zone, and the planting calendar gives dates for your own state or ZIP code.
How long does sorrel take to grow?
About 55-70 days from sowing to the first harvest. Seeds germinate in 7-14 days, fastest in soil around 65°F.
How much sun does sorrel need?
It needs six or more hours of sun for the best growth, though four to six hours in partial shade is enough.
What soil pH does sorrel need?
A soil pH between 5.5 and 6.8. It tolerates fairly acidic soil better than most vegetables. Test before adding lime or sulfur - see the soil pH and testing guide.
How far apart should I plant sorrel?
Space plants about 8 inches apart in rows 12 inches apart, or 4 per square foot in a square-foot bed. Sow seeds about ¼ inch deep.
Can I grow sorrel in a container?
Yes. Use a container at least 10 inches deep with drainage holes and a good potting mix, and water more often than you would in the ground.
Figures are typical home-garden ranges from Cooperative Extension planting guides, cross-checked against multiple state sources. Your variety and conditions will vary.