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Herbaceous

Sorrel (French)

Rumex acetosa / scutatus

Perennial with edible leaves. Easy to grow in OK; tolerates heat better than most cool-season greens

Edible
At a Glance

What to know before finding it a place.

SunFull sun + Part shade
WaterMedium water
System layerHerbaceous
Plant typePerennial
Plant spacing12-18 in apart
Mature size18-24 in / clumping
Chill hours0-500
Soil pH6.0-7.0
HarvestMar–Nov
Expected yieldContinuous (leaves)
TrellisNo
Central Oklahoma

Growing notes for our conditions.

Regional fit still depends on the actual site—especially drainage, exposure, irrigation, soil and the specific cultivar selected.

Oklahoma notes

Easy to grow in OK; tolerates heat better than most cool-season greens

Disease resistance

Excellent

Pruning

Remove flower stalks; divide every 3-5 years

Care

Lemony flavor; excellent for salads and cooking; one of the earliest spring greens

Drought tolerance

Moderate; consistent moisture improves performance

Pollination & Production

Plan the partners before planting the tree.

Pollination reference

For fruiting plants, compatible bloom timing and nearby partners can matter as much as the cultivar itself.

PollinationSelf-fertile
Compatible partners–
Variety Selection

The cultivar can matter as much as the species.

These references help narrow the large number of named varieties to options better aligned with Zone 7A conditions, disease pressure and useful harvest windows.

Zone 7A Recommended Varieties

French SorrelBroad-leaved SorrelRed-veined Sorrel

These are recommendations carried in the Organix Zone 7A reference database. They are not automatically the same as a cultivar personally proven by Organix on every site; site conditions and availability still matter.

Landscape Role

How this plant can function in a larger system.

Landscape functions

Edible; Attractor

Edible parts

Leaves

Companion plants

Strawberry, Fruit trees, Herbs

Community / companion role

Pollination: Self-fertile; Companions: Strawberry, Fruit trees, Herbs

Food-forest layer

Herbaceous

Oklahoma classification

Primary

Soil, Fertility & Care

Support the plant without overcomplicating the system.

Soil preferences

Preferred pH 6.0-7.0

KNF / fertility schedule

Spring compost tea

Maintenance

Remove flower stalks; divide every 3-5 years

Use this as a planning reference.

Plant performance varies with microclimate, soil, drainage, water, maintenance and cultivar. Organix uses the library to narrow good candidates, then makes final selections around the actual site.

Edible and medicinal tags describe traditional or practical plant uses in the landscape and are not medical advice. Always verify identification, preparation and individual suitability before consuming a plant.