Rumex acetosella

RHS Plant Profile

sheep's sorrel

Herbaceous Perennial

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A fast-growing, spreading perennial with ovate green leaves, arrow-shaped at the base. Leaves are edible, sour-tasting but contain oxalic acid so should not be eaten in large quantity. Produces spikes of red to yellowish flowers to 30cm high

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 1 year
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H4

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Polygonaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: Yes
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Clump forming
Potentially harmful: Harmful if eaten in large amounts. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets: Harmful if eaten in large amounts - for further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus: Rumex can be annuals, biennials or perennials with mostly basal, simple leaves and erect panicles or racemes of small greenish or reddish flowers followed by reddish-brown, triangular fruits
Name Status: Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grows best in acid to neutral soil, in a sunny position; in mild areas may grow all year round. Worth cultivating in a species-rich lawn or wildflower meadow for its edible leaves which add a lemony tang to salads, its importance for wildlife, supporting over 50 species of insect, and for its attractive reddish flowers and seedheads. See sheep's sorrel for more information

Propagation

Propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Wildflower meadow
Wildlife gardens

Pruning

No pruning required, but should be deadheaded if self-seeding becomes a nuisance

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and aphids

Diseases

Generally disease-free