How to Grow Rumex Plants

Rumex Growing and Care Guide

• Common Names: Sorrel, Dock weed.
• Life Cycle: Hardy perennial. Some annuals and biennials.
• Height: 18 to 40 inches (45—100 cm).
• Native: Northern hemisphere.
• Growing Region: Zones 5 to 9.
• Flowers: Middle of summer.
• Flower Details: Pink. Small. Clustered. Unisexual.
• Fruit: Small triangular achene.
• Foliage: Herbaceous. Dark-green. Large. Ovate with basal leaf lobes, thus producing an arrow shape. Sour/acidic tasting.
• Sow Outside: Seeds: 1/4 inch (6 mm). Second half of spring.
• Sow Inside: Germination time: one to two weeks. Temperature: ~68°F (20°C). One month in advance. Transplant outdoors following the last frost. Space at 12 inches (30 cm), or grow larger species singly.
• Requirements and care: Full sunlight for best results or partial shade. Rich, moist soil. Acidic soil pH 5.5—6. Provide a spring feed. Regular watering to prevent bitter leaves in hot climates. Harvest leaves to promote further growth. Propagate: by dividing at the start of spring or in autumn. Self-seeds readily (Dead-head to prevent seed-set) and can also spread from its roots.
• Family:
• Closely Related Species:
• Miscellaneous: Large genus of 200 species containing both useful plants grown for their edible leaves in soups and sauces (e.g., Common Sorrel: Rumex acetosa), and to wrap butter (Butter Dock: (Rumex obtusifolius) and all out weeds such as Dock. If you are planning to grow this species then you should be aware that it could spread like crazy via its long tap-root system. Therefore, it is highly recommended to grow within a contained space or container. Attracts certain butterflies and moths e.g., the blood-vein moth.