Common Sorrel Seeds (Rumex acetosa)

Common Sorrel is a hardy perennial wildflower prized for its tangy, lemony-flavoured leaves and striking spires of reddish-green flowers. A natural choice for wildflower meadows, herb gardens, and edible landscapes, it grows well in most soils and thrives in full sun or partial shade.

Key Features:

• Edible leaves with a sharp, citrus-like flavour - great for salads, sauces, and soups
• A native perennial that returns year after year with minimal care
• Excellent for pollinators: attracts bees and supports biodiversity
• Adaptable and low-maintenance: tolerates poor soils and partial shade
• Approx. 300 seeds per 1g

Common Sorrel (Rumex acetosa) is a native UK wildflower found in meadows, grasslands, and hedgerows. This clump-forming perennial grows up to 60 cm tall, with slender stems and long, arrow-shaped leaves that offer a zesty flavour often compared to lemon or vinegar. Its flowers, reddish-green spikes that bloom from May to August, add subtle texture to naturalistic planting schemes and serve as a nectar source for pollinators.

Highly valued for its culinary uses, sorrel is one of the first wild greens to appear in spring. The young leaves are ideal in salads, pesto, or added to soups for a fresh, tangy twist. Once established, it requires little upkeep, making it perfect for low-intervention planting. Common Sorrel prefers moist but well-drained soil and will tolerate partial shade, thriving in both wild and cultivated settings.

Sow Common Sorrel seeds directly outdoors in spring or autumn, in prepared soil that is moist but not waterlogged. It germinates readily within 10 to 21 days under the right conditions. Lightly rake the soil and scatter seeds thinly, pressing gently into the surface without covering too deeply.

Once established, sorrel requires little attention. Regular harvesting of young leaves encourages fresh growth, while older leaves can be cut back to rejuvenate the plant. It is perennial and hardy, tolerating frost and regrowing each spring. In meadows, it will naturalise over time, blending well with grasses and other native wildflowers.

For garden applications direct sow at 1g/m2. For overseeding existing meadow planting or for new sowings on larger areas sow at a maximum of 2g/m2.

Common sorrel is ideal for wildflower lawns, edible gardens, herb borders, and permaculture plots. It supports pollinators, especially early-season bees, and its foliage provides habitat for various insects. As a native wildflower, it contributes to local biodiversity and is suitable for ecological restoration projects.

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Q1: Is Common Sorrel edible?
A: Yes, the young leaves are edible and have a sharp, lemony flavour. They’re delicious in salads, soups, and sauces.

Q2: Can I grow Common Sorrel in partial shade?
A: Absolutely. While it prefers full sun, sorrel also does well in partial shade and can thrive under light tree cover.

Q3: How tall does Common Sorrel grow?
A: It typically reaches heights of 40–60 cm when mature, with flower stalks rising above the foliage in early summer.

Q4: Does Common Sorrel spread easily?
A: Yes. It’s a perennial that can self-seed in the right conditions and will slowly spread via its root system if left undisturbed.