Mountain Sorrel Plant Care

Mountain Sorrel (Oxyria digyna) belongs to the Polygonaceae family within the Oxyria genus. Mountain Sorrel is native to arctic regions and mountainous parts of the Northern Hemisphere. Mountain Sorrel is also known as Alpine Sorrel, Wood Sorrel.

Mountain Sorrel displays a low rosette, spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Mountain Sorrel produces small greenish flowers in dense clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Mountain Sorrel every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Mountain Sorrel thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Oxyria digyna tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Mountain Sorrel prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Mountain Sorrel to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Mountain Sorrel every 8 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Mountain Sorrel is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Mountain Sorrel can spread to about 2 ft (0.5 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.5 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Mountain Sorrel while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Mountain Sorrel is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Mountain Sorrel can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Mountain Sorrel is susceptible to aphids, leaf miners, slugs. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Mountain Sorrel grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Mountain Sorrel is native to arctic regions and mountainous parts of the Northern Hemisphere. In cooler regions, grow Mountain Sorrel as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.