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How to Grow Pink Butterflies

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Pink Butterflies

Oxalis triangularis

flower

Pink Butterflies is a delicate ornamental plant known for its distinctive triangular, purple-tinged foliage and charming pink flowers that resemble butterfly wings. This tender perennial is prized for its unique leaf shape and graceful blooms, making it an excellent choice for container gardening and indoor cultivation. It's also commonly called Purple Shamrock or False Shamrock due to its clover-like leaves.

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Example Pink Butterflies timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Pink Butterflies

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. First Pink Butterflies blooms

    Around May 17

    ≈ 30 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Pink Butterflies dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Bright indirect light, 6-8 hours daily; prefers filtered sunlight indoors
💧
Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; reduce watering in winter dormancy; prefers humidity
📏
Spacing: 6-8 inches
📅
Days to maturity: 30-45 (to first flowers)
🌱
Planting depth: Plant bulbs 1-1.5 inches deep; transplants at soil line

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil with organic matter
pH: 6.0-7.0
Amendments:
peat moss perlite compost coconut coir

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 10-12; grown as a houseplant or tender annual in cooler climates

10b 11 12

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Growth Stages

1

Emergence

1-2 weeks

Small shoots appear from bulbs with emerging triangular leaves

Keep soil warm (65-75°F) and consistently moist; ensure good drainage to prevent rot

2

Vegetative Growth

3-4 weeks

Purple-tinged triangular leaves develop on slender stems; plant becomes bushier

Provide bright indirect light, maintain consistent moisture, fertilize every 2-3 weeks with diluted fertilizer

3

Flowering

6-8 weeks (can repeat seasonally)

Delicate pink flowers bloom above the foliage, resembling butterfly wings; multiple blooms appear

Continue bright indirect light, maintain humidity, deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms

4

Peak Bloom

4-6 weeks

Maximum flowering with abundant pink blooms throughout the plant; foliage remains vibrant purple-tinged

Keep conditions stable, provide occasional misting, maintain consistent watering schedule

5

Dormancy/Rest

2-3 months

Foliage may decline and flowers cease, especially in winter months

Reduce watering significantly, lower temperatures to 55-65°F, minimize fertilizing; plant will rejuvenate with warmth

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Pothos Philodendron African violet Caladium Impatiens

Avoid planting near:

Allelopathic plants (limited concern for houseplants) Extremely wet-loving plants that require consistently wet soil

Common Pests

  • Increase humidity, mist leaves regularly, rinse foliage with water, use neem oil if severe

  • Remove with alcohol-soaked cotton swab, spray with insecticidal soap, isolate affected plant

  • Manually remove, treat with horticultural oil or neem oil spray

  • Allow soil to dry slightly between waterings, use yellow sticky traps, consider mosquito dunks in soil

Uses

🍳

Edible Leaves

Culinary

The triangular leaves are mildly sour and edible, used in salads or as a garnish. They contain oxalic acid, giving them a tangy flavor similar to sorrel. [source]

🏠

Indoor Ornament

Household

Excellent houseplant for bright windowsills, desks, and shelves, adding visual interest with unique foliage and delicate pink flowers. Perfect for containers and terrariums. [source]

💊

Traditional Herbal Use

Medicinal

In some traditional medicine systems, Oxalis species have been used for their diuretic and anti-inflammatory properties, though scientific evidence is limited. [source]

🎨

Floral Arrangements

Craft

The delicate pink flowers and attractive foliage are suitable for small, elegant floral arrangements and pressed flower crafts. [source]

🦋

Pollinator Attraction

Wildlife

Pink flowers attract small bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators when grown outdoors, supporting local ecosystems. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Pink Butterflies are ornamental plants grown for foliage and flowers rather than harvest. Enjoy blooms fresh on the plant or cut stems for small bouquets; flowers last several days in water. Pinch back stems to encourage bushier growth and more flower production.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Pink Butterflies leaves close at night and in darkness—a phenomenon called nyctinasty—making them appear to fold like sleeping butterfly wings
  • 🌱 The plant gets its 'Shamrock' nickname from its triangular leaf shape resembling a three-leafed clover, though it's not related to true shamrocks
  • 🌱 Oxalis triangularis is native to Brazil and grows from small bulbs; these bulbs can go dormant and rejuvenate season after season

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Deadhead Perennial Pinch Back
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