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Sheep sorrel – Rumex acetosella

Sheep sorrel

Rumex acetosella
Edible value7Medicinal value4Other uses1
perennial0.2×1.5 mzone 3–7light shade🍎 Edible

Will it grow where I live?

Sheep sorrel is hardy to zone 3 – that covers all of Central Europe and the British Isles, and every USDA zone from 3 upwards.

Or check it for your location right here:

Winter hardiness by USDA zone, summer warmth by heat sum – the same values the app and the plant finder use.

Profile

Family
Polygonaceae
Habit
perennial
Height
0.2 m
Spread
1.5 m
Growth
very fast
Lifespan
8 years
First yield
after 2 years
Hardiness
zone 3–7
Shade tolerance
light shade
Soil
Sand, Silt, Loam
Soil moisture
semi-dry – very moist
pH
4 – 6

Uses

Edible7 of 10
Medicinal4 of 10
Other uses1 of 10

Frequently asked questions

Sheep sorrel: how big does it get?

Sheep sorrel (Rumex acetosella) grows as a perennial and reaches roughly 0.2 m in height when mature, with a spread of about 1.5 m. Growth is very fast.

Sheep sorrel: what site does it need?

Sheep sorrel tolerates light shade. Suitable soils are Sand, Silt, Loam. Soil moisture should be in the range semi-dry – very moist. The pH may lie between 4 and 6.

Sheep sorrel: is it hardy?

Sheep sorrel is listed as hardy in zone 3–7 and survives normal winters outdoors there.

Sheep sorrel: will it grow in Central Europe?

Sheep sorrel is hardy to zone 3 – that covers all of Central Europe and the British Isles, and every USDA zone from 3 upwards.

Sheep sorrel: is it poisonous?

No toxicity is recorded for Sheep sorrel. With wild plants, never rely on a database alone — only on a confident identification.

Sheep sorrel: what is it used for?

Rated on a scale up to 10: Edible 7/10, Medicinal 4/10, Other uses 1/10.

Community experience

No first-hand reports for this plant yet.

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