Rumex acetosa Seeds | Garden Sorrel
LATIN NAME: Rumex acetosa
COMMON NAME: Garden Sorrel
Plant Profile
Known to gardeners as Garden Sorrel, Rumex acetosa is a robust, clump-forming perennial. In kitchen garden and moist meadow, garden sorrel grows as a robust, clump-forming perennial with long, arrow-shaped, bright-green leaves on upright stems and tall, slender, reddish panicles of small, greenish flowers that rise through early summer. Over seasons it steadily builds a rounded crown, standing 5-10 metres at maturity. It likes sun or light shade and deep, moist, fertile ground. When it flowers, local bees and other insects make good use of it. Plants that offer this much while asking this little are rare enough to treasure.
Science & Biotechnology
Rumex acetosa sits in the Rumex group, a group that keeps botanists, horticulturists and plant breeders busy with questions of classification, adaptation and ornamental potential. Garden sorrel has a real and distinguished place in the research. Little about its garden performance is mysterious; it has been grown and observed for a very long time.
Uses & Benefits
In the garden, Garden Sorrel earns its place in borders, containers and mixed plantings, and it also rewards growers who raise plants for cutting, drying or kitchen use. Ecologically, garden sorrel is a generous plant of the garden. Its tall, slender, upright clusters of small, reddish-green flowers feed many insects, and its fine, arrow-shaped, leafy growth gives a neat, fresh presence to kitchen garden and the meadow. Sharply sour leaves are best used in small amounts, and garden sorrel is best enjoyed as a fine green of the kitchen. Once settled, it thrives on neglect more than on fussing.
Docks and sorrels are lemony, vitamin-C-rich spring greens, and yellow dock root is a classical Western herbal alterative for skin and digestion, rich in iron-repute and anthraquinones.
Growing from Seed
Sow fresh seed of Garden Sorrel under ordinary good conditions. Sow on the surface of a gritty, well-drained mix, cover lightly with fine compost, and maintain gentle, even moisture in a sunny position. A spell of cool, moist conditions ahead of sowing brings the seed along nicely and supports even germination. Once the seedlings have made true leaves, pot them on individually and plant out when they are sturdy and conditions are right.
Our Take
Garden Sorrel has real presence in the garden without demanding much in return. Keep the sowing evenly moist at the start — that is the one real requirement.
Related Reading
Gardeners who grow Garden Sorrel often pair it with these related subjects: