Yellow Sorrel
Oxalis corniculata
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Pl. 9E4A — Oxalis corniculata
Oxalis corniculataOxalis corniculataOxalis corniculataOxalis corniculataOxalis corniculataOxalis corniculataOxalis corniculataOxalis corniculataOxalis corniculataOxalis corniculataOxalis corniculataOxalis corniculataOxalis corniculataOxalis corniculata
IOverview
Overview
Yellow Sorrel (Oxalis corniculata) is a perennial plant native to Central and South America, the Caribbean, and some regions of Mexico, including the Bahamas, Cuba, and Costa Rica. This hardy plant thrives in USDA zones 4-8 and can be found growing in various habitats such as gardens and disturbed areas due to its adaptability across different soil types—light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay)—with a preferred pH range of 6.5 to 7. Known for its culinary uses, Yellow Sorrel features edible leaves and flowers that can be incorporated into dishes. The plant's creeping habit allows it to spread widely in suitable environments, making it a versatile addition to gardens. It requires plenty of sunlight but can tolerate some shade. For optimal growth, maintain consistent watering while avoiding overwatering to prevent root rot. Yellow Sorrel is often propagated through seeds or division of its rhizomes. Its hardiness and adaptability make it a popular choice for gardeners looking to add an edible and ornamental plant to their landscapes.
Quick answers
What is Yellow Sorrel?
Yellow Sorrel (Oxalis corniculata) is a perennial plant native to Central and South America, the Caribbean, and some regions of Mexico, including the Bahamas, Cuba, and Costa Rica.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Yellow Sorrel thrives in light to medium soil with a pH of 6.5–7 and prefers areas that are either dry or moist. It is hardy in temperate regions from zones 4-8, making it suitable for various climates. This plant requires plenty of sunlight but can tolerate some shade. For optimal growth, maintain consistent watering; avoid overwatering to prevent root rot. Propagate Yellow Sorrel through seeds or division of its rhizomes. Harvest the edible parts—leaves and flowers—for culinary use.
Light
7/10
Water
Dry, Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
4-8
Life cycle
Annual, Perennial
Habit
Forb/herb
Mature size
0.1 m tall
Soil pH
6.5–7
For first-time growers
How to grow Yellow Sorrel for the first time
8steps
Start with Yellow Sorrel as a simple, low-maintenance addition to your garden.
- 1
What you'll need
Yellow Sorrel seeds or young plants, potting soil, containers or garden space.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant Yellow Sorrel in spring when the last frost has passed and temperatures are mild.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Use well-draining soil with a pH between 6.5 and 7, ensuring containers have drainage holes.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Direct sow seeds 0.1 m apart in the garden or plant young seedlings at this spacing.
- 5
First two weeks
Water regularly to keep soil moist but not waterlogged, and provide partial shade if needed.
- 6
Ongoing care
Maintain consistent moisture, especially during dry spells. Fertilize lightly with compost every few months.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune back any leggy growth to encourage bushier plants and remove dead leaves as needed.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting in heavy soil, neglecting to prune for shape.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:FlowersLeaves
Edible uses: Gum
Other uses:DyeGum
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
26 native · 249 introduced
Distribution
26 native · 249 introducedDistribution across5 continents· 26 native· 249 introduced
Europe23 regions
introduced (23)AlbaniaAustriaBelgiumBulgariaCyprusFinlandFranceGermanyGreeceHungaryIrelandItalyNetherlandsNorwayPolandPortugalRomaniaRussiaSpainSwedenSwitzerlandUkraineUnited Kingdom
Asia24 regions
introduced (24)AfghanistanBangladeshCambodiaChinaGeorgiaIndiaIranJapanKazakhstanLaosMyanmarNepalOmanPakistanPalestinePhilippinesSaudi ArabiaSouth KoreaSri LankaTaiwanThailandTurkeyUzbekistanYemen
Americas22 regions
native (14)BahamasColombiaCosta RicaCubaDominican RepublicEl SalvadorGuatemalaHaitiHondurasJamaicaNicaraguaPeruPuerto RicoVenezuela
introduced (8)BoliviaEcuadorFrench GuianaGuyanaParaguaySurinameUnited StatesUruguay
Africa40 regions
introduced (40)AlgeriaAngolaBeninBotswanaBurkina FasoBurundiCabo VerdeCameroonChadComorosCôte d'IvoireDjiboutiEgyptEritreaEswatiniEthiopiaGabonGhanaGuineaKenyaLesothoLiberiaLibyaMadagascarMalawiMauritiusMoroccoMozambiqueNigeriaRwandaSeychellesSierra LeoneSomaliaSudanTanzaniaTogoTunisiaUgandaZambiaZimbabwe
Oceania6 regions
introduced (6)FijiNauruNew CaledoniaSamoaTongaVanuatu
Broader regions
native:Cayman Is., Leeward Is., Mexico Central, Mexico Gulf, Mexico Northeast, Mexico Northwest, Mexico Southeast, Mexico Southwest, Netherlands Antilles, Panamá, Trinidad-Tobago, Windward Is.
introduced:Alabama, Andaman Is., Argentina Northeast, Argentina Northwest, Arkansas, Ascension, Bermuda, Borneo, Brazil North, Brazil Northeast, Brazil South, Brazil Southeast, Brazil West-Central, British Columbia, California, Cape Provinces, Caroline Is., Central African Repu, Chile Central, Chile South, Christmas I., Colorado, Congo, Connecticut, Cook Is., Crozet Is., Czechoslovakia, Delaware, Desventurados Is., District of Columbia, East Aegean Is., East Himalaya, Easter Is., Florida, Free State, Galápagos, Gilbert Is., Gulf of Guinea Is., Gulf States, Hainan, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Jawa, Juan Fernández Is., Kazan-retto, Kentucky, Kerguelen, Kermadec Is., Khabarovsk, Kirgizstan, Kriti, Kuril Is., KwaZulu-Natal, Lebanon-Syria, Lesser Sunda Is., Louisiana, Maine, Malaya, Maluku, Manitoba, Marianas, Marquesas, Maryland, Masachusettes, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nansei-shoto, Nebraska, New Guinea, New Jersey, New Mexico, New South Wales, New York, New Zealand North, New Zealand South, Newfoundland, Nicobar Is., Niue, Norfolk Is., North Carolina, Northern Provinces, Northern Territory, Nova Scotia, Ogasawara-shoto, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Pitcairn Is., Primorye, Prince Edward I., Québec, Queensland, Réunion, Rodrigues, Saskatchewan, Selvagens, Sinai, Society Is., Socotra, Solomon Is., South Australia, South Carolina, South China Sea, South Dakota, St.Helena, Sulawesi, Sumatera, Tadzhikistan, Tasmania, Tennessee, Texas, Transcaucasus, Tristan da Cunha, Tuamotu, Tubuai Is., Turkey-in-Europe, Vermont, Victoria, Virginia, Washington, West Himalaya, West Virginia, Western Australia, Wisconsin, Yugoslavia, Zaïre
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXI
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