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Sorrel

Rumex acetosa

vegetable

Sorrel is a perennial herb with arrow-shaped leaves that offer a distinctive tart, lemony flavor used in salads, soups, and sauces. Once established, it produces leaves continuously over multiple seasons with minimal care, making it one of the most low-maintenance leafy crops. The plant's deep taproot helps it access water and nutrients from poor soils.

Sorrel

Common Problems

Select the problem your Sorrel is experiencing to get a treatment guide.

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Boltingchevron_right
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Yellow Leaveschevron_right
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Slow Growthchevron_right
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Wiltingchevron_right

Care Guide

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Light
Full sun to partial shade (4–8 hours sun daily); tolerates shade but produces more robustly in full sun.
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Water
Keep soil evenly moist during growing season; water 1–1.5 inches per week; reduces need for water once established.
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Soil
Adaptable to various soils; prefers well-draining loam with pH 5.5–7.0; tolerates poor, acidic soil.
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Fertiliser
Minimal fertilizer needed; apply balanced fertilizer in spring; avoid excess nitrogen which reduces tartness.
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Temperature
Cool-season perennial; thrives in 50–70°F; tolerates hard freezes; may go dormant in extreme heat above 85°F.
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Humidity
Moderate humidity (40–60%); consistent moisture prevents bolting; prefers cooler, somewhat damp conditions.

Toxicity

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Contains oxalic acid; safe in small culinary amounts but toxic in large quantities or to sensitive individuals; avoid for pets with kidney issues.

Common Diseases

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Common Pests

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Seasonal Care

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Resume regular watering and feeding as growth picks up.

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Peak growing season. Water and feed regularly.

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Reduce watering as growth slows. Stop heavy feeding.

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Minimal watering and feeding. Protect from frost if needed.