🌿 When to Plant Sorrel

🌿 Herb
Cool Season

Tart lemon flavor; perennial; harvest young leaves; remove flower stalks to prevent bolting

📅 Planting Calendar by USDA Zone

Select your zone to highlight your exact planting dates. Dates are calculated from each zone's average frost dates.

Find my zone
Zone Last Frost Start Indoors Transplant Direct Sow
Zone 2A May 30 Apr 18 May 16 May 2
Zone 3B May 15 Apr 3 May 1 Apr 17
Zone 4A May 8 Mar 27 Apr 24 Apr 10
Zone 4B May 1 Mar 20 Apr 17 Apr 3
Zone 5A Apr 25 Mar 14 Apr 11 Mar 28
Zone 5B Apr 18 Mar 7 Apr 4 Mar 21
Zone 6A Apr 21 Mar 10 Apr 7 Mar 24
Zone 6B Apr 10 Feb 27 Mar 27 Mar 13
Zone 7A Apr 5 Feb 22 Mar 22 Mar 8
Zone 7B Mar 28 Feb 14 Mar 14 Feb 28
Zone 8A Mar 20 Feb 6 Mar 6 Feb 20
Zone 8B Mar 12 Jan 29 Feb 26 Feb 12
Zone 9A Feb 28 Jan 17 Feb 14 Jan 31
Zone 9B Feb 15 Jan 4 Feb 1 Jan 18
Zone 10A Feb 1 Dec 21 Jan 18 Jan 4
Zone 10B Jan 15 Dec 4 Jan 1 Dec 18
Zone 11A Jan 1 Nov 20 Dec 18 Dec 4

Sorrel is an underused perennial herb with a sharp, lemony flavor. It’s one of the first edible greens to emerge each spring.

Top Growing Tips

  • Perennial in most zones; dies back in winter, returns reliably
  • Young leaves are mildest; larger leaves get more intensely sour
  • Remove flower stalks promptly to prevent bolting and keep leaves coming
  • Add to soups, egg dishes, and sauces for bright lemony flavor
  • High in oxalic acid — eat in moderation, especially if prone to kidney stones

Companion Planting

Good companions: strawberries, onions

Avoid planting near: High-pH soil companions

Harvest Timeline

Year-round in mild climates; harvest young outer leaves from established plants