Holly's Homestead — Leafy Green
Sorrel
Rumex acetosa · Buckwheat family
DIFFICULTY Easy
TYPE Perennial, direct sown or division
MATURITY Usable from 8 weeks
TYPE Perennial, direct sown or division
MATURITY Usable from 8 weeks
Sun
Full–part sun
Water
Regular
Soil pH
6.0–6.8
Spacing
20–30cm
Depth
0.5cm
01A tangy, low-maintenance perennial
A lemony, sharp-tasting perennial green that comes back reliably each year with minimal input — a useful, unusual addition to salads once established.
02Planting
Method
Direct sow or divide an established clump.
Soil
Rich, moisture-retentive.
Timing
Plant in spring or autumn.
Planting timing varies significantly by Australian climate zone. Set your zone above (or use the Find My Climate Zone tool) for guidance tailored to your own area.
03Growing care
- Remove flower stalks promptly to keep leaf production going.
- Water regularly — leaves toughen and turn bitter under drought stress.
- Divide clumps every few years to renew vigour.
- Harvest outer leaves continuously.
04Problems
- Leaf miner — pale tunnels; remove affected leaves.
- Rust — orange spotting; improve airflow.
- Bolting — remove flower stalks promptly.
- Few other issues — a generally trouble-free perennial.
05Harvest & storage
Signs
Leaves reach usable size, harvested continuously through the growing season.
Method
Snip outer leaves, leaving the centre to keep producing.
Curing
None needed.
Storage
Fridge, a few days.
Preserving
See Freezing Produce (blanching and freezing a glut) for ways to keep a harvest surplus.
06Companions & rotation
Plant nearby
StrawberryAvoid nearby
None majorRotation note
Not applicable — long-lived perennial.
