Houseplant Spotlight On: Oxalis

O. triangularis and O. regnellii

Often called shamrocks due to the clover-like leaves, you’ll find varieties of Oxalis with bright green leaves, dusky purple, or even two toned foliage. The small flowers, that bloom off and on during fall, winter, and spring months, are pale pink or white.
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These houseplants are moderately easy to care for and bring a touch of spring blooms when the weather is the gloomiest!

Here are our tips to keep your oxalis in it's best health:

Light
Oxalis plants prefer part shade outdoors or bright but not direct light indoors. They grow best placed near east or north-facing windows. 
The leaves close at night and open again when they are in sunlight.

Water
Keep your oxalis moist but not soggy - like a wrung out wet sponge. Allow the soil to dry between waterings. A simple way to check the soil moisture is by sticking your finger in it.  

Oxalis sometimes goes dormant - if yours dies down, cut watering way back until growth resumes. (See Repotting below)

Temperature
Oxalis plants prefer environmental temperatures between 60 and 75F. 

Soil
Potting mix designed for houseplants is perfect for growing oxalis. We like Miracle-Gro Indoor Potting mix from Ace Hardware of Adams.

Fertilizer
Oxalis doesn't require much fertilizer. Repotting once a year with new potting soil and a few slow release fertilizer pellets should be enough. We like Osmocote Plus Indoor and Outdoor Granules from Ace Hardware of Adams. 

Repotting
Sometimes Oxalis goes dormant and dies back. (Often this is is the summer months when the sun is brightest.)
Reduce watering to keep the soil on the dry side and place in a shady location. In about a month your Oxalis is rested and ready to re-grow. You can now move it back to an eastern or northern facing bright window and begin watering more regularly when you see green shoots coming back.

If your plant needs repotting or you want to split it, allow it to go dormant: 
Oxalis grows from little tubers, break the soil apart and place 10-20 of these tubers in a pot with some fresh potting mix in it. Cover with potting mix. Water lightly and place in a bright window. 

More Tips for Success
If your plant becomes leggy over the winter just give it a trim and new growth will sprout from the middle. 
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Looking for a "four-leaf shamrock"? Look for Oxalis tetraphylla 'Iron Cross'. 

Oxalis are poisonous to pets so keep away from cats and dogs.