How to Grow Oxalis
Wikimedia Commons
Oxalis
Oxalis spp.
flowerOxalis, commonly known as wood sorrel or shamrock plant, is a diverse genus of plants featuring delicate clover-like foliage and charming five-petaled flowers in shades of pink, purple, yellow, or white. These plants are prized for their ornamental foliage that ranges from green to deep burgundy and their ability to thrive as both houseplants and garden specimens. Most varieties produce small bulbs or tubers that allow them to spread and naturalize over time.
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Example Oxalis timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Oxalis
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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First Oxalis blooms
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Oxalis dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Zones 6-9 for outdoor cultivation; tender varieties best grown indoors or in containers in cooler climates
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Dormancy/Bulb
4-8 weeks in winterPlant exists as small bulbs or tubers with minimal visible growth; may be completely underground
Store bulbs in cool, dry location during dormancy; check periodically for sprouting; minimal watering needed
Sprouting/Early Growth
2-3 weeksTiny shoots emerge from bulbs; first delicate clover-like leaves unfurl
Increase watering as growth begins; provide bright light to prevent leggy growth; maintain warm temperatures
Vegetative Growth
4-6 weeksFoliage develops fully with characteristic clover-like leaflets; plant forms compact mound; ornamental foliage color intensifies
Provide regular watering; fertilize every 2-3 weeks with balanced houseplant fertilizer; pinch back leggy growth to encourage bushiness
Flowering
4-12 weeks depending on conditions and varietyDelicate five-petaled flowers emerge on slender stems above foliage; blooms may close at night or in cloudy conditions
Maintain consistent moisture and bright light; deadhead spent flowers to encourage continued blooming; ensure adequate light for flower opening
Seed Production/Decline
2-4 weeks before dormancyFlowers fade and seedpods develop; foliage may begin to yellow as plant enters dormancy
Allow some flowers to set seed for propagation if desired; gradually reduce watering as growth slows; prepare for dormancy period
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Increase humidity; spray with water; use insecticidal soap or neem oil if severe
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Remove with cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol; spray with insecticidal soap
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Scrape off manually; treat with horticultural oil or neem oil
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Reduce watering frequency; use yellow sticky traps; improve drainage
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Improve drainage; reduce watering; repot in fresh soil if affected; remove affected portions
Uses
Edible tubers and leaves
CulinarySome Oxalis species, particularly Oxalis tuberosa (oca), produce edible underground tubers that taste slightly tart and sweet, similar to potatoes. The tangy leaves can also be used sparingly in salads for their lemony flavor. [source]
Tart flavor from oxalic acid
CulinaryOxalis leaves contain oxalic acid, giving them a pleasant lemony-sour taste suitable for garnishing dishes and adding bright flavor to beverages and culinary preparations. [source]
Indoor houseplant decoration
HouseholdOxalis species with ornamental burgundy or variegated foliage make excellent tabletop and shelf plants for bright indoor spaces, providing year-round visual interest with their folding and unfolding leaves. [source]
Garden edging and groundcover
OrnamentalLow-growing varieties of Oxalis work well as delicate groundcovers in shaded garden areas, woodland gardens, and as living edging for plant beds, providing fine-textured foliage and colorful flower accents. [source]
Pollinator attraction
WildlifeThe delicate five-petaled flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, making Oxalis a valuable addition to pollinator gardens despite its small stature. [source]
Harvest Tips
Oxalis are ornamental plants primarily grown for foliage and flowers rather than harvest. Cut stems for fresh flower arrangements when blooms are fully open. Some varieties (particularly Oxalis tuberosa) produce edible tubers that can be dug and harvested after foliage dies back naturally.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Oxalis flowers and leaves exhibit fascinating nyctinasty—they automatically close at night or during cloudy weather, opening again when light returns, a behavior called 'sleep movements.'
- 🌱 The name 'wood sorrel' comes from the plant's lemony taste due to oxalic acid; the genus name Oxalis actually derives from the Greek word for 'sharp' or 'sour.'
- 🌱 Many Oxalis species spread prolifically through tiny bulbils and self-seeding, making some varieties considered weeds in gardens, though ornamental cultivars are generally well-behaved houseplants.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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