Photo: zebedeugalinhaCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
French Sorrel Plant Care
Rumex scutatus L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Rumex scutatus is a plant in the buckwheat family, used as a culinary herb. Its common names include French sorrel, buckler sorrel, shield-leaf sorrel, and sometimes the culinary name "green-sauce".
Every 4–7 days
Full sun to part shade
50–75°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for French Sorrel?
Water French Sorrel every 4–7 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to part shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season. The ASPCA lists it as toxic to cats and dogs, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the French Sorrel Native To?
- Albania
- Austria
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- The Netherlands
- Türkiye
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
What Is the French Sorrel?
French Sorrel (Rumex scutatus) belongs to the Polygonaceae family within the Rumex genus. French Sorrel is native to Europe, Asia Minor. French Sorrel is also known as Buckler-leaved sorrel, Shield sorrel.
French Sorrel displays a clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. French Sorrel produces small green flowers on tall spikes.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a French Sorrel?
Rumex scutatus requires watering every 4–7 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 4–7 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the French Sorrel Need?
French Sorrel thrives in full sun to part shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to part shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the French Sorrel Prefer?
Rumex scutatus grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. French Sorrel prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a French Sorrel?
Moist, fertile soil with good drainage. Good drainage is essential for French Sorrel to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a French Sorrel?
Feed French Sorrel every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a French Sorrel?
Divide clumps every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a French Sorrel?
French Sorrel can be propagated through seeds, division.
Is the French Sorrel Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic to cats and dogs
Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center plant list. View the ASPCA entry
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the French Sorrel?
French 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.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the French Sorrel Need?
French Sorrel grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. French Sorrel is native to Europe, Asia Minor. In cooler regions, grow French Sorrel as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
French Sorrel is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Rumex genus — compare its care with other Rumex species on PlantoScan.
Rumex is part of the Polygonaceae plant family — browse all Polygonaceae genera and species.
French Sorrel thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Rumex scutatus L., family Polygonaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 337 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record, Wikidata.
- Pet toxicity: The ASPCA lists French Sorrel as toxic to cats and dogs. Source: ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List.
- Photo: zebedeugalinha, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
Identify Plants Like the
French Sorrel Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species