Oxalis plant: How to grow and care for it?

The shamrock-like plants known as oxalis produce abundant beautiful flowers and unique leaves. While some varieties have triangular, deep purple leaves, others have accents of dark green with white to pale pink blossoms. They are simple to grow in the ground and in containers, making them a carefree preference of many. 

Oxalis plant: Key facts

Common Names	False shamrock, Purple wood sorrel, Triangular wood sorrel, Love plant
Scientific Name	Oxalis triangularis
Family	Oxalidaceae
Light	Full sun to partial shade
Bloom time	Spring, summer
Native	Africa and South America
Preferred Humidity	Moderate
Propagation Method	Division of tubers

 

Learn more about Calathea plant or prayer plant

 

What is an Oxalis plant?

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The largest genus in the family Oxalidaceae, Oxalis plant represents around 800 of the 900 species that make up the family. With more than 550 species, it is a sizable genus of flowering plants that is indigenous to tropical regions of South Asia and South America. Oxalis, sometimes referred to as Wood Sorrels and numerous other common names, is also called False Shamrocks. The most popular Oxalis species grown as houseplants is Oxalis triangularis.

In addition to coming in a variety of colours and sizes, oxalis are ideal indoor plants due to their high rate of production. They are so abundant that they are regarded as weeds by gardeners and greenhouse farmers all over the world. If kept as a houseplant, the majority will go through a dormant phase in the winter. A sizable percentage of the play might perish and go dormant if exposed to insufficient light. It will regrow if you provide fertiliser and sufficient light.

Like the majority of legumes and a few other plants, many Oxalis exhibit the nyctinasty phenomena. Nyctinasty is a type of rhythmic circadian nastic movement that occurs in plants in response to the onset of night. Through receptors, the plant detects the type and quality of light and responds by sending a signal to the pulvini, which are joints bulging with cells near the base of the leaflets. The subsequent release of carbohydrates and potassium ions from the pulvini results in the distinctive drooping of the leaflets.

 

Oxalis plant: Varieties

Oxalis is a diverse genus comprising hundreds of species including a variety of perennials, annuals, and even tropical plants. Many of these varieties form vigorous spreading plants while others are bulb-forming plants. Numerous species of oxalis plants serve as easy-to-grow houseplants. Some of the most popular varieties of oxalis include:

• Iron Cross Oxalis or Oxalis Tetraphylla
• Molten Lava Oxalis
• Purple Oxalis
• Redwood Sorrel
• Silver Shamrock
• Zinfandel Oxalis
• Lucky Clover

Oxalis plant: Where to plant?

You can use this abundant plant for indoor windowsill accents, container gardens, or edging because it grows easily in the ground and in containers. Although the Oxalis plant loves the sun, it prefers a little cover during the warmest hours of the day. For instance, south-facing windows are ideal in the winter but could be excessively warm in the summer. Although it can be grown outdoors in borders or edgings in USDA zones 6 through 10, in regions with cold winters, it should be kept indoors

 

Oxalis plant: When to plant?

While oxalis love to be planted in the spring because it lines up with their normal flowering season, they prefer to go dormant in the summer, contrary to the winter. With the possibility of recurrent blooming in the fall, many species flower between spring and summer. Flowers can take 8–10 weeks to grow, while foliage usually sprouts 3–4 weeks after planting.

 

Oxalis plant: How to plant?

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• Find a spot with well-drained soil that will receive enough sunlight for your Oxalis when planting it in an outdoor landscape. Make sure to provide some afternoon shade if you reside in a hotter climate. The Oxalis plant bulbs should be placed 3 to 4 inches apart and 1 to 1 1/2 inches deep in holes that have been dug large enough to accommodate them. Fill the surrounding soil over the bulbs after they have been placed in the holes, then gently push them down.

 

• When planting in containers, choose a spot in your house that receives plenty of bright, direct light, and fill the container about three-quarters of the way with a well-drained potting mix. Before placing the bulbs and spacing them out several inches apart, water the soil to settle it out. Add another 1 to 2 inches of soil over the bulbs. You may forgo this step and use the shipped container if your Oxalis came pre-planted when it was delivered.

 

• Until the top growth appears, a light watering of 1/2 to 1 cup is sufficient.

 

How to grow Oxalis plants?

• If the top half of the soil seems dry during periods of active growth, water lightly once a week.

 

• While the plant is actively growing, fertilise your Oxalis sparingly with a diluted liquid fertiliser once a month.

 

• Trim away any dead foliage in the late summer when the plant starts to wither and go dormant.

 

• During your plant’s phase of dormancy, stop fertilising and watering it.

 

• When your Oxalis plant starts to grow again in the spring, you can resume fertilising and watering.

 

Growing Oxalis plants indoors

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Light 

Provide bright indirect light, maybe from a window facing the south or west. Plants may become spindly and unable to blossom in low-light conditions.

Temperature

Ideal temperatures are cold at night (between 50 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit) and warm during the day (between 70 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit).

Watering

Maintain an even moisture level in the soil and water when the surface feels dry. To avoid wet soil, pots must have drainage holes.

Fertilising

A balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer should be fed every two to three weeks while the plants are actively growing.

Dormancy

Don’t freak out if your indoor oxalis plant starts losing all of its leaves. It has just begun a dormant phase, which typically lasts a month or two and allows the plant to preserve energy before a fresh growth period. Put your plant somewhere dark, water it less frequently, and hold off on fertilising it during this period until you notice fresh growth starting. By separating some of the bulbs and transplanting them into new pots during this time of dormancy, you can divide plants.

 

Oxalis plant: Tips and tricks

• After watering, the colourful foliage should appear in 3–4 weeks, followed by exquisite blooms in around 10 weeks.

 

• As the ambient light changes, marvel as the foliage and flowers flutter open and shut.

 

• For a magnificent display, group your Oxalis bulbs when planting them.

 

• In cooler winter climates, treat oxalis as a houseplant. It may be grown outside in edging or borders in USDA zones 6 through 10.

 

• Dig a deep hole to place your Oxalis plant in so its crown is just over the soil line. As you fill the hole with soil, spread the roots equally over it and tap the area lightly to remove any air bubbles. To complete the process, water thoroughly. 

 

Oxalis plant: Uses

• The leaves of the plant can be consumed uncooked or cooked and carry an acidic flavour due to oxalic acid. 
• Leaves and flowers of the place can be utilized as decoration for salads.

 

How to use Oxalic plants in the garden?

There are many ways to use oxalis in the garden. You can use it to create rock gardens. It can also be used as ground cover. You can make it the edging or front of a border. Also, it can be a great idea to grow it in containers and hanging baskets. Moreover, it would look incredible as a border of a walkway.

 

Oxalis plants: Toxicity

All members of the Oxalis genus are packed with oxalic acid, which can prove to be toxic when consumed in large quantities. It’s a good idea to keep Oxalis plants away from the reach of pets and children.

 

Oxalis plants: Common problems and treatments

Weak and leggy stems

Insufficient sunlight frequently results in long, brittle stems. Place your plant in a more sunny spot or add a fluorescent light.

Yellow leaves and soft stems

This signals about rotten roots resulting from overwatering.

If the roots are rotten, remove them before repotting your plant. Ensure that the potting mix and container you select have good drainage. Reduce the amount of watering as needed.

Wilting, brown or crispy leaves

Inadequate moisture is shown by this. Perhaps you should water more frequently or make the environment more humid.

No growth

Dormancy prevents growth. You would not find new growth in the months of winter and fall.

In the spring and summer, if your plant doesn’t generate any new growth, fertilise it and relocate it to a spot with more sunlight.

 

Bottom line

False shamrock is easy to grow and attractive to look at. You can enjoy the leaves and delicate blossoms of Oxalis triangularis for years to come, whether you add a few to your house or just one to a prominent, sunny place.

 

FAQs

Are Oxalis Triangularis Plants Toxic?

Despite their culinary use, Oxalis Triangularis are thought to be harmful to people and animals since they can cause serious gastrointestinal and digestive irritation when consumed.

How Long Do Oxalis Triangularis Plants Live?

With the proper care, Oxalis Triangularis are perennials that can live for many years. Due to the fading of the blooms and leaves during their dormant season, plants may appear to be dead.

Is Oxalis triangularis easy to Grow at Home?

One of the simplest indoor plants to grow is Oxalis triangularis. It's excellent for novices, requires little maintenance, and tolerates a wide range of environmental conditions.

Do shamrock plants bring good luck?

Considering that shamrock clovers only have three leaves, finding out a 4-leaf clover is regarded as lucky. Some other fascinating information is that you will typically find one lucky four-leaf clover out of every 10,000 clovers. It is said that the four leaves stand for luck, love, faith, and hope.

How does eating Oxalis affect you?

Despite being edible, oxalic acid can inhibit calcium absorption; therefore, while oxalis leaves are edible, they should only be taken in moderation and should be completely avoided by those prone to kidney stones, who have gout, or have rheumatism.