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Sheeps Sorrel

Rumex acetosellafam. Polygonaceae
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Rumex acetosella (Sheeps Sorrel) — botanical photograph
Pl. 467C — Rumex acetosella
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Overview

Sheeps Sorrel (Rumex acetosella) is a perennial herb native to much of Europe and parts of Asia, including Albania, Algeria, Austria, and Belarus. This plant thrives in moist, light to heavy soils with a pH range of 4–4.5, making it adaptable to various growing conditions. Sheeps Sorrel can grow up to 0.3 meters tall and is often found in habitats ranging from sandy to heavy clay soils, thriving in partial shade to full sun. Its distinctive leaves, roots, and seeds are all edible parts that can be harvested. The plant is valued for its light texture and moisture-loving nature, making it a versatile addition to gardens or natural landscapes. Sheeps Sorrel is known for its edible and medicinal properties. The leaves, roots, and seeds can be used in various culinary applications, adding a tangy flavor to dishes. In traditional medicine, it is used for its astringent and diuretic properties, though caution is advised as it may have a weed potential in some areas. Cultivation is straightforward, with Sheeps Sorrel thriving in well-drained soil that can be sandy, medium, or clay-like. It requires regular watering to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Propagation can be achieved through seeds or division of roots in early spring or fall. Harvest leaves and roots for culinary use throughout the growing season.

Quick answers

What is Sheeps Sorrel?

Sheeps Sorrel (Rumex acetosella) is a perennial herb native to much of Europe and parts of Asia, including Albania, Algeria, Austria, and Belarus. This plant thrives in moist, light to heavy soils with a pH range of 4–4.5, making it adaptable to various growing conditions.

Compare with:Common sheep sorrel→Round-Leaved Dock→Sharp Dock→all comparisons →
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Growingconditions · propagation · uses
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Cultivation

Sheeps Sorrel thrives in moist, light to heavy soils and prefers a pH of 4-4.5. It requires partial shade to full sun and is hardy in temperate regions with zones 4-8. For best results, plant it in well-drained soil that can be sandy, medium, or clay-like. Water regularly to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Propagate through seeds or division of roots in early spring or fall. Harvest leaves and roots for culinary use throughout the growing season.
Light
8/10
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
4-8
Life cycle
Perennial
Habit
Forb/herb
Mature size
0.3 m tall
Soil pH
4–4.5
For first-time growers

How to grow Sheeps Sorrel for the first time

8steps

Sheeps Sorrel is a hardy, low-maintenance plant that's perfect for beginners.

  1. 1

    What you'll need

    Seeds or young plants, a small trowel, and a watering can.

  2. 2

    Best time to plant

    Plant in early spring or late summer for best results.

  3. 3

    Soil and container prep

    Choose a spot with moist, light soil (sandy, medium, or clay) with a pH of 4-4.5.

  4. 4

    Sowing or transplanting

    Direct sow seeds in the ground or start them indoors and transplant after danger of frost passes.

  5. 5

    First two weeks

    Keep soil consistently moist, watering regularly to prevent drying out.

  6. 6

    Ongoing care

    Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Mulch around plants to retain moisture.

  7. 7

    Harvest or pruning

    Prune back after flowering to encourage new growth and maintain plant shape.

  8. 8

    Common mistakes

    Overwatering, planting in too sunny a spot, neglecting to mulch.

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Edible & utility

Edible parts:LeavesRootSeed
Edible uses: Drink
Other uses:DyeDynamic accumulator
Contextrange · companions · related
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Distribution

80 native · 108 introduced
Distribution across4 continents· 80 native· 108 introduced
Europe25 regions
native (25)AlbaniaAustriaBelarusBelgiumBulgariaDenmarkFinlandFranceGermanyGreeceHungaryIcelandIrelandItalyNetherlandsNorwayPolandPortugalRomaniaRussiaSpainSwedenSwitzerlandUkraineUnited Kingdom
Asia12 regions
native (8)ChinaIranKazakhstanMongoliaNepalSouth KoreaTaiwanTurkey
introduced (4)GeorgiaJapanSri LankaVietnam
Americas14 regions
native (1)Greenland
introduced (13)BoliviaColombiaCosta RicaCubaDominican RepublicEcuadorGuatemalaHaitiJamaicaPeruUnited StatesUruguayVenezuela
Africa7 regions
native (4)AlgeriaEswatiniLesothoMorocco
introduced (3)KenyaMozambiqueZimbabwe
Broader regions
native:Altay, Amur, Baltic States, Buryatiya, Cape Provinces, Chita, Czechoslovakia, East Aegean Is., Føroyar, Free State, Irkutsk, Kamchatka, Khabarovsk, Krasnoyarsk, Kriti, Kuril Is., KwaZulu-Natal, Lebanon-Syria, Magadan, Northern Provinces, Primorye, Sakhalin, Transcaucasus, Tuva, West Himalaya, Yakutskiya, Yugoslavia
introduced:Alabama, Alberta, Aleutian Is., Amsterdam-St.Paul Is, Argentina Northeast, Argentina Northwest, Argentina South, Arizona, Arkansas, Brazil South, Brazil Southeast, British Columbia, California, Chile Central, Chile North, Chile South, Colorado, Connecticut, Crozet Is., Delaware, District of Columbia, East Himalaya, Falkland Is., Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Juan Fernández Is., Kansas, Kentucky, Kerguelen, Labrador, Louisiana, Maine, Manitoba, Marion-Prince Edward, Maryland, Masachusettes, Massachusetts, Mexico Northwest, Mexico Southwest, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nansei-shoto, Nebraska, Nevada, New Brunswick, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Newfoundland, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nova Scotia, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Oregon, Panamá, Pennsylvania, Prince Edward I., Québec, Réunion, Rhode I., Saskatchewan, South Carolina, South Dakota, South Georgia, St.Helena, Svalbard, Tasmania, Tennessee, Texas, Tristan da Cunha, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Yukon
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Specimen gallery

1 image
Rumex acetosella (Sheeps Sorrel) — botanical photograph
Sheeps Sorrel (Rumex acetosella)
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See also

8 related
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Explore further

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