How to grow Sorrel in New Zealand
Garden sorrel is a hardy perennial with bright green, lemony, sharply acidic leaves for salads, soups, sauces and fish. It grows to about 60 cm, comes back every year in most of New Zealand, and keeps producing fresh leaves if you cut it back before it flowers. Red-veined sorrel is a pretty, milder relative for salads.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Sorrel in New Zealand
At a glance
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| Northland | August to October, January to April | |
| Auckland | August to October, January to April | |
| Waikato & Bay of Plenty | August to October, January to April | |
| Central North Island | August to October, January to April | |
| Wellington & Lower North Island | August to October, January to April | |
| Nelson & Marlborough | August to October, January to April | |
| Canterbury | August to April | Plant Aug to Apr so roots establish before the hard frosts. |
| Otago & Southland | September to April | Plant Sep to Apr so roots establish before the hard frosts. |
| Central Otago | September to March | Plant Sep to Mar so roots establish before the hard frosts. |
Not to be confused with: Sheep sorrel, a small weedy relative common in New Zealand lawns and acid pastures, and dock, a coarse relative with big leaves.
Where to plant
Sorrel likes rich, well-drained soil that stays moist, in full sun or light shade. Light shade in summer keeps the leaves tender and slows flowering. Plant it where it can stay for several years.
- Northland to Wellington and Nelson: sow or plant from late summer through autumn and again in spring.
- Canterbury: plant from August to April so roots establish before the hard frosts.
- Otago, Southland and Central Otago: plant from September to April (to March in Central Otago).
Choosing a variety
- Garden or broad-leaved sorrel has large, sharp, lemony leaves for cooking.
- Red-veined sorrel has green leaves with striking red veins and is usually picked young for salads.
- Sorrel is also sold as microgreens, with an intense lemony bite.
How to plant
- Sow seed direct in clumps of two or three seeds about 20 cm apart, cover lightly and water well, or buy plants.
- Thin to the strongest seedling in each clump.
- Keep the soil moist while seedlings establish.
Watering and feeding
Keep the soil moist; dry soil makes the leaves tough and sour and encourages flowering. Feed with a nitrogen-rich liquid fertiliser for plenty of leafy growth.
Pruning and care through the year
- Cut off flower stalks as soon as they appear. In summer, cut the whole plant back hard to slow bolting and bring on a flush of fresh leaves.
- Divide clumps every few years in spring or autumn to keep them vigorous.
- Watch for slugs and snails, which love the soft leaves.
Harvesting
Pick young leaves as needed, snipping or pulling them from the base. Young leaves are the mildest; older leaves are sharper and better cooked. Sorrel turns olive green and melts into a sauce when cooked.
Growing in pots
Sorrel grows well in a pot of rich potting mix in sun or light shade. Keep it moist and cut it back regularly.
Companion planting
Sorrel is a perennial for the edge of the vegetable garden or the herb bed.
Good companions
- Strawberry Another perennial for a permanent bed.
- Lettuce A quick salad crop that shares the bed and the same moist soil.
Pests and diseases
Sorrel has few problems apart from slugs and snails.
Pests to watch for
Diseases to watch for
- Leaf spot Small brown or purple spots on older leaves in wet weather. Remove affected leaves.
Common questions
What does sorrel taste like?
Sharp, tangy and lemony, from the oxalic acid in its leaves. Young leaves are milder; older leaves are best cooked into sauces and soups.
Is sorrel safe to eat?
Yes, in normal kitchen amounts. Like spinach and rhubarb, it contains oxalic acid, so people prone to kidney stones may want to eat it in moderation.
Why is my sorrel flowering?
Sorrel runs to flower in summer heat and dry soil. Cut the flower stalks off, or cut the whole plant back hard, and keep it watered for fresh leaves.
Does sorrel come back every year?
Yes. It is a hardy perennial in most of New Zealand and lasts several years, especially if divided every few years.
Is the sorrel in my lawn edible?
Sheep sorrel, a common lawn and pasture weed, is a small relative with arrow-shaped leaves and a similar sour taste. Only eat plants you can identify with certainty.
Sources we checked: Yates NZ: How to grow sorrel; Kings Seeds: Sorrel.