houseplant > OXALIS

IN THIS GUIDE

OXALIS GUIDES

oxalis plant with purple leaves and star-shaped white flowers growing outside

PlantingVarieties

Shamrock is the name give to severalthree - leavedplants within the Oxalis genusas well as clover ( genus Trifolium repens ) and medick ( Medicago lupina ) , Oxalis bein , popular for their three - four lobed clover - like leaves and star - similar peak , which are grown as houseplant in the UK .

These works , popular as St. Patrick ’s Day decoration , are considered prosperous by some.1DiLonardo , M. ( 2021 , February 8).17 Things You Did n’t have a go at it About Shamrocks . ThoughtCo . retrieve March 21 , 2023 , fromhttps://www.thoughtco.com/things-you-didnt-know-about-shamrocks-4863451

variegated purple leaves from a false shamrock plant growing inside in a white pot in front of a wall

They are attractive and interesting plant that could be interesting additions to a houseplant collecting .

In this article , we will focalize on the most popular Shamrock or False Shamrock houseplant , Oxalis triangularis .

Overview

PreferredPartial Shade

ExposureSheltered

Height0.1 – 0.3 M

purple shamrock plant growing in a container outside next to ivy and other green plants

Spread0.1 – 0.5 M

Bloom TimeSummer / Autumn

PreferredLoam , corpse or sand

potted false shamrock with purple leaves and pink flowers growing in a white pot indoors in front of a white wooden wall

MoistureMoist but well - debilitate

pHAny

Native to South America , this is the plant normally referred to as put on shamrock or ‘ shamrock plant’.2Oxalis triangularis . ( n.d . ) . North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox . recollect March 21 , 2023 , fromhttps://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/oxalis-triangularis/

purple leaves of a potted shamrock houseplant wilting as the plant enters its period of dormancy

The subspeciesO. triangularissubsp.papilionacea , AKA the ‘ Purpleleaf False Shamrock ’ , has been gift the RHS Award of Garden Merit .

This is a bulbous recurrent flora with cryptical maroon , clover - similar leaves and lily-white or pallid pinkish , five - petalled little flower .

This may also sometimes be farm outdoors in the warmest areas , but is also mostcommonly grown as a houseplant .

variegated purple leaves from a false shamrock plant growing outdoors in a pot with raindrops on its foliage

One very interesting thing about this plant is that the leaves , when analyze closely , attend like an umbrella during the night or when disturbed , and the flowers also close during the Nox .

It also , unlike most other common houseplant , goes through a menstruum of dormancy each year .

Habitat & Growing Conditions

False Shamrock has a H3 hardiness paygrade and should be grow in temperatures of around 15 ° C .

It will get by with higher temperature but will be given to suffer if temperature above 25 ° C are sustained for too long .

It can permit temperatures down to around -3 ° C and will only survive winter outside in the very mildest regions of the southern British Isles , in a specially sheltered spot .

someone holding a false shamrock tuber in front of a potted oxalis plant with purple foliage

normally , therefore , these plants are arise undercover , or as houseplant here in the UK .

These plants require a spot with bright yet collateral sunshine indoors .

Outdoors in a suitable spot they will thrive in fond shade .

purple flowering false shamrock with white flowers growing outside in a container in front of a stony wall

When not grow as year - rhythm houseplant , these plants are sometimes also placed outside in late leaping in fond shade , then moved back indoors or undercover into frost - innocent conditions in former fall .

In terminus of the grow medium , ‘ False Shamrock ’ needs wet - retentive yet well - drain dirt .

A recommend mixture for this plant life is 1/3 loam , 1/3 folio mold and 1/3 grit , or , or else , an tantamount soil - devoid compost .

Ongoing Care

‘ False Shamrock ’ can be an strange plant , and many used to growing other houseplant may rule them rather different from the other plants they may have raise .

The main difference is that as corm , these plants have frequent period of dormancy , which can occur during winter but may also occur 2 - 3 times a class if Oxalis is grown undercover .

Those who are not conversant with these works may often dread that their works are unwell , as they seem insalubrious and set about to lose their leaves , but this is a born part of the plant ’s life bike .

The plant life postulate a period of rest .

Leaves should be allowed to die back course , and the corms should be left to the quiescency period of time for 3 - 4 weeks when it occurs in the summertime months , or overwinter in those with winter sleeping .

These flora should be watered in moderation while they are in active growth , assume care not to cause waterlogged conditions , yet also ensuring sufficient moisture .

However , when the plants are hibernating , tearing should be minimal and the grow medium should be kept barely damp .

During time period of combat-ready development , it is a good idea to feed these works with a balanced , organic liquid plant provender ( such as a compost tea ) every month or so .

However , during inactive phases , feed should be stanch entirely .

Oxalis triangulariscan be distribute by means of seed or division .

seed are best sown as soon as they become fledged , in a insensate figure or indoors .

Note , however , that the seeds of certain race may not fare dead on target .

This could be interesting , since you may have , for example , empurpled - leaved case growing from the seed of a green - leaved form – so you might care to experiment .

prickle out the seedlings into individual pots and grow them indoors , planting out or placing them outdoors in recent spring or early summertime if you wish well to do so .

Division is best carry out in spring .

Pot up smaller divisions and arise them on in a cold framing or under cover even when contrive to place them out of doors , so they are well establish .

Larger divisions can be placed into an outdoors position mightily away if they are to be grown out of doors .

Common Problems

Generally , oxalis are comparatively secure by pests and disease .

However , they can be troubled by slugs and snails when placed alfresco , and can sometimes be susceptible to rust diseases , which can be unsightly , though these fungal infection will rarely kill your industrial plant .

Aside from understanding quiescence , oxalis houseplant are moderately easy to worry for and they do not require pruning .

In general , you should find false white clover plants interesting and comparatively aboveboard additions to a houseplant collection .

References