How to grow Sorrel in Australia
Sorrel is a hardy, leafy perennial herb grown for its sharp, lemony leaves, which add a sour tang to salads, soups and sauces. Once planted it comes back year after year, needs little care, and gives fresh leaves for most of the year if you keep picking.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Sorrel in Australia
At a glance
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | March to September | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | March to September | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | March to September | |
| Melbourne & Victoria | March to September | Sow Mar to Sep. Perennial; frost-hardy. Thrive in Melbourne winter. Extend window. |
| Adelaide & SA | March to September | |
| Perth & WA | March to September | |
| Tasmania | September to March | Sow Sep to Mar. Hardy perennial that picks almost year-round. |
| Canberra & ACT | March to September | Sorrel is cold-hardy perennial; plant spring-autumn; thrives in cool Canberra season; divide clumps every 2 years. |
| North Queensland | May to September | Dry season May to Sep. Sorrel (perennial) handles tropical dry season. |
| Darwin & Top End | May to September | Dry season May to Sep. Sorrel (perennial) handles tropical dry season. |
Not to be confused with: Rosella, sometimes called Jamaican sorrel, which is a hibiscus grown for its red calyces. Garden sorrel is a leafy Rumex, related to dock.
Where to plant
Sorrel grows in full sun or part shade and tolerates most soils, but it gives the most tender leaves in fertile, moisture-retentive soil with plenty of compost. In hot areas, a spot with afternoon shade keeps the leaves tender and delays flowering.
It is frost hardy and perennial, so choose a spot where it can stay, such as a herb bed or the edge of the vegie patch.
- South East Queensland, the Northern Rivers, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Canberra: sow or plant from March to September.
- Hobart: sow from September to March. Plants pick almost all year.
- North Queensland and Darwin: sow in the dry season, from May to September.
Choosing a variety
- Common or garden sorrel (Rumex acetosa) is upright, to about 50 to 60 cm, with large, sour, lemony leaves.
- French or buckler-leaf sorrel (Rumex scutatus) is low and spreading, about 15 to 45 cm, with smaller grey-green, citrus-flavoured leaves.
- Red-veined sorrel (Rumex sanguineus) forms decorative rosettes with dark red veins and is best picked young.
How to plant
- Sow seed in clumps of two or three, about 20 cm apart, or in punnets to transplant.
- Cover lightly, about 0.5 cm, and keep the soil moist. Seedlings appear in one to two weeks.
- Thin or plant out to about 20 to 30 cm apart.
- Or start with a nursery plant or a piece divided from an established clump.
Watering and feeding
Water new plants regularly. Established sorrel in the ground is tough, but steady moisture gives far more tender, mild leaves; dry soil makes them tough and sour and pushes the plant to flower.
A liquid feed every few weeks, or a dressing of compost each spring, keeps leafy growth coming.
Pruning and care through the year
- Remove flower stems as soon as they appear. This keeps the plant producing leaves and stops it self-seeding around the garden.
- Mulch with compost each spring.
- Divide clumps every few years, in autumn or spring, to keep them vigorous.
Harvesting
Start picking once the plants are well established. Snip or pull the young outer leaves at the base and the centre keeps producing. Regular picking gives a steady supply of young, tender leaves, which have the best flavour.
Leaves wilt quickly. Keep them in the fridge wrapped in a damp cloth and use them within about four days.
Growing in pots
Sorrel grows well in a pot at least 20 to 30 cm wide and deep with a quality potting mix. Keep it moist and in part shade in hot weather.
Using it
Use young leaves raw in salads for a lemony bite. Cooked, sorrel melts into a soft puree in minutes and turns olive green; it is classic in sorrel soup, in sauces for fish and eggs, and stirred through potato or lentil dishes.
Sorrel is high in oxalic acid, like spinach and rhubarb stalks. It is fine in normal food amounts, but people prone to kidney stones or gout may want to eat it in moderation.
Companion planting
Sorrel is an easy neighbour and suits a perennial herb bed or the edge of a vegie patch.
Good companions
- Strawberry Another long-lived crop for a permanent bed with the same fertile, moist soil.
- Lettuce A salad partner that likes the same cool-season conditions and part shade in summer.
- Cabbage Listed by Yates as a companion; both like rich, moist, well-fed soil.
Pests and diseases
Sorrel has few problems. Slugs and snails like the soft young leaves.
Pests to watch for
- Slugs Holes in young leaves and slime trails, especially after rain.
- Snails Ragged holes in leaves of young plants.
- Aphids Clusters of small insects on soft new growth and flower stems.
Diseases to watch for
- Leaf spot Small brown or reddish spots on older leaves in damp weather. Pick off affected leaves.
Common questions
What does sorrel taste like?
Sharp, sour and lemony. Young leaves are milder; older leaves and leaves from plants in dry soil are much more sour.
Is sorrel perennial?
Yes. Sorrel comes back year after year. Divide the clump every few years to keep it vigorous, and remove flower stems to keep it leafy.
Why is my sorrel flowering?
Heat, dry soil and age trigger flowering. Cut off the flower stems as soon as they appear, keep the plant watered, and it will go back to making leaves.
Is sorrel safe to eat?
Yes, in normal food amounts. It contains oxalic acid, as spinach does, so people prone to kidney stones may want to eat it in moderation.
What is the difference between French sorrel and garden sorrel?
Garden sorrel is upright, with large leaves and a strong sour flavour. French sorrel is lower and spreading, with smaller grey-green leaves and a milder, citrus flavour.
Can I grow sorrel in a pot?
Yes. Use a pot at least 20 to 30 cm wide and deep, keep the mix moist and pick often.
Sources we checked: Yates: How to grow sorrel; RHS: Sorrel, grow your own.