Field Sorrel
Rumex acetosella
Last reviewed: September 2026
Field Sorrel is toxic to dogs and cats.
Listed as toxic by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) (last reviewed 2026-08-15). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435and your veterinarian's emergency line.
Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants so you can choose a pet-safe native alternative for your yard.
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
4"–16" H × 6"–12" W
Bloom
May, Jun, Jul
Pollinators
bees, beetles
Native alternatives to Field Sorrel
Field Sorrel is not native to the United States. These natives fill a similar role in a planting, matched on bloom season, bloom color and mature size.
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaField sorrel is a low-growing perennial herb with arrow-shaped leaves and small reddish flower spikes in late spring and summer. This hardy native thrives in poor soils and drought conditions, making it useful for challenging sites. The leaves are edible with a tart, lemony flavor.
In an HOA neighborhood
Field Sorrel takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
- Considered weedy by most homeowners
- Spreads aggressively and can colonize lawn areas
- Very informal appearance that looks unmanaged
Wildlife value
The small flowers attract bees and beetles during the blooming period from May through July. Seeds provide food for small birds and ground-dwelling wildlife.
Common questions
- How much sun does Field Sorrel need?
- Field Sorrel grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Field Sorrel bloom?
- Field Sorrel blooms in May, June, and July.
- Is Field Sorrel toxic to dogs?
- Yes. Field Sorrel is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
- Is Field Sorrel toxic to cats?
- Yes. Field Sorrel is listed as toxic to cats by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your cat has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
- What pollinators does Field Sorrel attract?
- Field Sorrel draws bees and beetles.
- Is Field Sorrel HOA-friendly?
- Field Sorrel takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants like Field Sorrel and shows pet-safe natives for your ecoregion instead.
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