Plant of the Day - 28th March 2023
The Ins and Outs of Oxalis triangularis
Oxalis triangularis, commonly referred to as “False Shamrock”, is a unique and beautiful ornamental houseplant. It holds a strong resemblance to Shamrock – a sprig of clover often used as a symbol for Ireland – which is where it derived its common name. This gorgeous variety of Oxalis features bright trifoliate purple foliage in varying shades of purple and delicate white flowers tinged lavender atop thin green stems. With it’s show-stopping colours and distinctive foliage the Oxalis triangularis is a plant you simply can’t look past!
Plant Specifications
- Botanical Name: Oxalis triangularis
- Common Name: False Shamrock
- Plant Type: Perennial, Bulb (Corm)
- Height: 30cm
- Width: 30cm
- Foliage Colour: Shades of purple
- Flower Colour: White/Lavender
Care Guide
Planting. Oxalis need to be planted in a well-drained soil as they don’t tend to tolerate standing water. A porous potting mix is your best option – look for a mixture of potting soil and peat. You can mix things like pearlite, vermiculite, or coarse sand with your potting mix to increase the drainage. When potting up your Oxalis, you’ll want to consider the pot size in comparison to the size of the plant – Oxalis are a fan of being rootbound and don’t require much wiggle room.
Environment. Oxalis prefer to be positioned in partially shaded to fully shaded areas. Keep them out of the hot afternoon sun to ensure their delicate foliage doesn’t burn. A few hours of morning sun is beneficial in helping this gorgeous plant stay nice and vibrant.
Lighting. When planting your Oxalis indoors you’ll want to ensure it has plenty of bright, indirect light. It will also highly benefit from bi-weekly pot rotation to prevent it from leaning to one side. If the foliage colour starts to look a little dull you might want to consider moving your plant to a brighter area.
Watering. In the warmer months, allow the soil to mostly dry out between watering. You can check your moisture level by inserting your finger about 10cm into the potting mix. During the winter months you’ll want to water reduce watering even more. Over-watering and having excessive stagnant water will lead to fungal issues and root rot.
Extra Tips. Oxalis usually have a period of dormancy – during this period it is essential to significantly reduce watering to prevent the corms from rotting.
Oxalis triangularis are known for their unique "sleeping" ability - when the sun goes down their leaves close up ready for bed. They re-open in the morning once the sun rises.
