How to Grow Redwood Sorrel
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Redwood Sorrel
Oxalis oregana
herbRedwood sorrel is a shade-loving groundcover native to the Pacific Northwest, characterized by clover-like trifoliate leaves with a distinctive reddish or purplish undersides. It produces delicate white or pale pink flowers and thrives in moist, shaded forest environments. This low-growing plant is prized for its ornamental foliage and edible, tart leaves.
When should you plant Redwood Sorrel in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Redwood Sorrel timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Redwood Sorrel
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Redwood Sorrel
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Redwood Sorrel dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 8-9, particularly in maritime climates with cool, moist conditions
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Get my Redwood Sorrel timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
3-4 weeksTiny seedlings with first trifoliate leaves emerging; very delicate and requiring high humidity
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; maintain 80%+ humidity; provide bright, indirect light; avoid direct sun
Establishment
4-8 weeksYoung plants developing stronger root systems and establishing runners; leaves show characteristic clover shape with reddish undertones
Maintain consistent moisture; gradually acclimate to outdoor conditions if greenhouse-grown; apply leaf mold mulch; maintain shade
Vegetative Growth
3-6 months ongoingSpreading groundcover with dense foliage forming low mats; leaves fully developed with prominent reddish coloration on undersides
Water regularly; maintain cool, moist conditions; provide dappled shade; avoid drought stress; fertilize lightly with balanced organic fertilizer monthly
Flowering
4-8 weeks (typically spring to early summer)Delicate white, cream, or pale pink flowers appear above foliage; flowers have five petals with darker veining
Maintain moisture during flowering; provide adequate humidity; light fertilization supports continued blooms; avoid disturbance
Mature Groundcover
Ongoing for yearsFully established dense mat of foliage with regular flowering; plant self-sustains and spreads via rhizomes
Maintain consistent moisture and humidity; divide every 2-3 years if needed; remove dead leaves; sustain shade conditions
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Increase humidity and misting; spray with water to dislodge; use neem oil if severe
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and
Handpick in early morning or evening; maintain drier leaf surface with good air circulation; use copper barriers
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Ensure proper drainage; avoid waterlogging; improve air circulation; remove affected plants; use well-draining soil
Uses
Tangy Salad Green & Garnish
CulinaryThe tart, lemony leaves add bright flavor to salads, sandwiches, and soups. Young leaves are particularly tender and pleasant, with a oxalic acid-driven sour taste similar to sorrel or sour grass. [source]
Herbal Infusions & Tea
CulinaryDried or fresh leaves brew into a refreshing, mildly tart tea with a pleasantly lemony flavor. Traditionally used by indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest. [source]
Traditional Remedy
MedicinalPacific Northwest indigenous peoples used redwood sorrel to treat digestive ailments and provide vitamin C. Modern herbalists value it for potential antioxidant properties, though it should be consumed in moderation due to oxalic acid content. [source]
Shade Garden Groundcover
OrnamentalIts attractive clover-like foliage with reddish undersides and delicate flowers make it an excellent ornamental choice for forest gardens, woodland shade gardens, and moist shaded borders. [source]
Native Plant for Ecosystems
WildlifeSupports native insects and pollinators in Pacific Northwest gardens; provides food and habitat structure for small invertebrates; helps restore native plant communities. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Harvest leaves year-round once plant is established (3+ months old). Pinch or snip young leaves in morning for best flavor and tartness. Harvest no more than 1/3 of foliage at one time. Leaves are most tender and flavorful in spring and early summer. Use fresh immediately or dry for later use.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Redwood sorrel is endemic to old-growth redwood and coastal temperate rainforests of northern California and southern Oregon, forming a verdant carpet on the forest floor in these ancient ecosystems.
- 🌱 The plant's name 'sorrel' comes from Old French 'surelle' (sour), referring to its characteristic lemony-tart flavor from oxalic acid—the same compound that makes rhubarb leaves toxic in large quantities.
- 🌱 Oxalis species exhibit nyctinasty, a circadian movement where leaflets fold downward at night or in response to light changes, believed to be a water conservation strategy.
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