Bordeaux Sorrel

Family: Polygonaceae Leafy Green

Tart, jewel-bright leaves unfurl with a deep Bordeaux blush, delivering a lively, citrusy bite that wakes the palate from the first handful.

Bordeaux Sorrel forms tender, medium-leaning rosettes with a crisp, succulent texture—ideal for fresh, quick tosses and for silky sauces that turn its tang into a smooth, vivid finish. A dependable perennial for the home gardener, it regrows with vigor for repeat harvests through the season.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 45 DaysHabit: Rosette

Botanical illustration of Bordeaux Sorrel

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jun 9th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	45
Sun Requirements	Part Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	60
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Bordeaux Sorrel’s aggressive, jewel-bright acidity stays crisp when treated gently, so it doesn’t go wooly like heavier greens. Use short reductions and quick heat—its tang turns creamy and vivid, especially with butter and eggs.

Best Uses

quick chiffonade over warm potatoes or eggs (no long cook-through)
silky sorrel sauce—reduce briefly, then smooth off-heat
fresh salad toss with light vinaigrette and crunchy fat

Flavor Profile

lively citrusy tang tender, crisp succulence bright herbal sourness that lingers

Kitchen Pairings

butter heavy cream eggs potatoes lemon fresh herbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Rumex acetosa (Bordeaux sorrel), and how can I manage it?

One common issue is downy mildew, which shows up as pale/yellow patches on upper leaves and gray-purple growth underneath. Improve airflow with wider spacing and remove infected leaves early, then avoid overhead watering. If it keeps spreading, use an appropriate labeled fungicide for edible greens and follow the re-entry interval on the label.

How often should I water Bordeaux sorrel during its main growth phase?

During the active leaf-growth period (from a few weeks after sowing until harvest), keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. In typical home-garden conditions, that’s usually about 1 inch of water per week, split into smaller waterings to prevent crusting or drying between. If leaves start to look limp or develop a sharper, more bitter taste, increase watering frequency rather than soaking less often.

How do I know when Bordeaux sorrel is ready to harvest?

Harvest at about 40–45 days, when leaves are tender and usually around 4–6 inches long. Pick outer leaves first and leave the center growing point intact so the plant continues producing. If the leaves become larger with noticeably tougher texture, harvest sooner next time because sorrel quality declines as plants mature.