Leafy green
Can you grow Sorrel on a balcony?
Rumex acetosa
Yes — grows well in pots
Sorrel (Rumex acetosa) grows well on a balcony in a pot of at least 14 litres (about 20 cm deep). It needs full sun — around 6+ hours of direct sun a day. Pick young leaves from spring, when new growth starts, right through into autumn.. All figures below are sourced from RHS and the Old Farmer's Almanac.
Sun
☀️ Full sun (6+ h)
Min. pot
14 L · 20 cm
Water
Medium
Difficulty
Easy
Hardiness
USDA 5-9
Container fit
Good
Sow
Sow indoors in spring, or outdoors from mid-spring to early summer; also self-seeds readily.
Harvest
Pick young leaves from spring, when new growth starts, right through into autumn.
Good companions: Grows happily among other leafy crops and herbs
Balcony tip: Use a pot at least 30cm (12in) wide and 20cm (8in) deep with a 50:50 soil-based/multi-purpose compost mix, and keep it consistently moist.
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More leafy greens for balconies
Häufige Fragen
What size pot does Sorrel need?
Sorrel needs a container of at least 14 litres, roughly 20 cm deep. Bigger pots dry out more slowly and give better yields on a balcony.
How much sun does Sorrel need on a balcony?
Sorrel wants full sun — about 6+ hours of direct sun daily. Match it to your balcony's aspect before buying seed.
When do you sow Sorrel?
Sow indoors in spring, or outdoors from mid-spring to early summer; also self-seeds readily.. Timing shifts with your climate/USDA zone — the linked sources give the detail.
Sources & date
- RHS: Sorrel
- Old Farmer's Almanac: Sorrel
- Data as of: 2026-07-10
- Container sizes and timings are guidance — adjust to your climate/USDA zone and balcony aspect.