Lifago

Family: Polygonaceae Leafy Green

Bright, lemony-tart sorrel flavor leaps from Lifago leaves—crisp, tender, and pleasantly succulent with a clean, refreshing bite.

At about 35 days, this market-class sorrel forms an upright rosette of smooth, arrow-bright foliage that stays flavorful and not overly fibrous. Grow Lifago for vivid spring salads and quick-stir sauces, or for tangy pickling and savory blends where its signature tang can shine.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 35 DaysHabit: Rosette

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	May 30th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	35
Sun Requirements	Part Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	55
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Lifago sorrel hits with a clean, lemony snap and stays tender rather than turning stringy, so it works best when you need flavor without chewing through fibrous leaves. Use it fast—heat wilts it, and a quick stir or brief simmer keeps that bright tang from fading.

Best Uses

spring salads where the leaves stay snappy under dressing
quick-stir sauces and pan “deglaze” swirls—sorrel’s tang stays vivid
tangy pickles and brined blends for a sharp, refreshing edge
savory herb mixes where you want zip without bitterness

Flavor Profile

bright lemony tartness crisp-tender leaf texture pleasantly succulent bite clean, refreshing herbal finish

Kitchen Pairings

butter heavy cream eggs salmon goat cheese radishes

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most common problem for Rumex acetosa (garden sorrel/Lifago) and how do I treat it?

Garden sorrel is often hit by leaf spot and fungal spotting, especially with wet foliage and cool, humid conditions. Remove and discard badly spotted leaves, then improve airflow and water at the soil line (not overhead). If the spotting keeps spreading, use a copper-based fungicide labeled for edible greens and reapply according to label directions.

How often should I water Rumex acetosa during active leaf growth, and what soil moisture level should I aim for?

During the main growing phase, keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, aiming for the top 1 inch to stay lightly damp. In warm spells you’ll usually need watering about 1–2 times per week, increasing to more frequent light water if the soil dries out quickly. Mulch around plants helps stabilize moisture and reduces stress, which can trigger faster bolting (tough, bitter leaves).

How can I tell when Rumex acetosa is ready to harvest?

Harvest when leaves are tender and about 2–4 inches long (typically around 35 days from sowing/transplanting, depending on conditions). Start with outer leaves and cut them just above the crown to encourage regrowth, rather than stripping the whole plant at once. Stop harvesting when plants bolt (send up flower stalks), since sorrel leaves become sharper and less desirable.