Sorrel Planting Guide
Sorrel is a perennial herb with tangy, lemon-flavored arrow-shaped leaves. It is one of the first greens to emerge in spring and is used in soups and salads.
Rumex acetosa · Herb · Polygonaceae family · 40–60 days to maturity
Get Your Personalized Sorrel Planting Dates
Enter your ZIP code to see exact planting dates, soil compatibility, and growing tips specific to your county.
Where Can You Grow Sorrel?
Sorrel Growing Regions
Click any state to see the Sorrel planting schedule for that location.
Planting Dates by Zone
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3a | Apr 3 | May 8 | May 8 | Jun 19 – Aug 21 |
| Zone 3b | Mar 29 | May 3 | May 3 | Jun 14 – Aug 16 |
| Zone 4a | Mar 25 | Apr 29 | Apr 29 | Jun 10 – Aug 12 |
| Zone 4b | Mar 20 | Apr 24 | Apr 24 | Jun 5 – Aug 7 |
| Zone 5a | Mar 21 | Apr 11 | Apr 18 | May 30 – Aug 1 |
| Zone 5b | Mar 14 | Apr 4 | Apr 11 | May 23 – Jul 25 |
| Zone 6a | Mar 6 | Mar 27 | Apr 3 | May 15 – Jul 17 |
| Zone 6b | Feb 27 | Mar 20 | Mar 27 | May 8 – Jul 10 |
| Zone 7a | Feb 18 | Mar 11 | Mar 18 | Apr 29 – Jul 1 |
| Zone 7b | Feb 11 | Mar 4 | Mar 11 | Apr 22 – Jun 24 |
| Zone 8a | Feb 1 | Feb 22 | Mar 1 | Apr 12 – Jun 14 |
| Zone 8b | Jan 21 | Feb 11 | Feb 18 | Apr 1 – Jun 3 |
| Zone 9a | Jan 13 | Jan 20 | Feb 3 | Mar 17 – May 19 |
| Zone 9b | Dec 28 | Jan 4 | Jan 18 | Mar 1 – May 3 |
How to Plant Sorrel
🍂 Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Partial Shade (3-6 hours)
💧 Water
Moderate — regular watering
Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Consistent moisture produces the best results.
🧪 Soil pH
5.5 – 7
Prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil — ideal for most garden beds.
🗺️ Hardiness Zones
Zone 3a – 9b
📅 Days to Maturity
40–60 days
Quick-growing crop. Multiple plantings per season are possible.
👪 Plant Family
Polygonaceae
Rotate with other families yearly to prevent soil-borne diseases. Don't plant in the same spot where Polygonaceae family crops grew last year.
Succession Planting Sorrel
Sorrel matures in just 40–60 days, making it ideal for succession planting. In a typical 180-day growing season, you can get up to 5 successive plantings by sowing every 4.6 weeks.
Your actual succession count depends on your local frost dates. Enter your ZIP code to get personalized succession planting dates for your area.
Companion Planting for Sorrel
✅ Good Companions
Check more combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Growing Tips for Sorrel
Direct sow in early spring or fall. Remove flower stalks promptly to encourage leaf production. Divide clumps every 3-4 years. Young leaves have the best flavor.
Saving Sorrel Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Breathable fabric pots that promote healthy root growth and prevent overwatering.
Built-in reservoir keeps herbs and greens consistently watered with less effort.
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Level Up Your Garden
Sorrel by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to grow Sorrel?
Sorrel (Rumex acetosa) takes 40 to 60 days from planting to harvest. Exact timing depends on your variety, growing conditions, and USDA zone.
What zones can Sorrel grow in?
Sorrel can be grown in USDA zones 3a through 9b. Use the planting calendar above to find the exact dates for your zone.
How much sun does Sorrel need?
Growing Sorrel requires Partial Shade (3-6 hours), Moderate — regular watering, and soil pH of 5.5 to 7.