Its leaves also have the unusual habit of opening during the day and folding closed at night.
Foliage can be variegated or solid green to deep purplish red.
Some species grow fromcormsthat multiply forming mounds and subshrubs.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
How and When to Plant Oxalis
Oxalisgrows best in areas with cool summers and mild winters.
In regions where summers are hot, plant in a north-facing location that receives afternoon shade.
If your winters are wet, plant in raised beds orrock gardens.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Corms can be planted inpotsor trays in autumn to keep as houseplants or as starts for the spring garden.
Plant corms or transplants outdoors in May.
Corms are long and narrow, rounded at one end and tapered at the other.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Plant them vertically with the narrow end pointing up.
They can be cut in half with the bottom half planted cut side up.
In the garden, space corms 3- to 4-inches apart and 1- to 1 1/2-inches deep.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Allow 4 to 10 inches between transplants.
Corms grown as houseplants can be started in shallow pots with well-draining, indoorpotting mix.
Space them 1-1/2 inches apart and deep.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Place pots to receive bright light and water sparingly until new growth appears.
Oxalis Plant Care
DifferentOxalisspecies are found naturally in woodlands, high elevations, and the tropics.
Woodland species adapt more readily to averagegardenconditions whereas tropical and alpine varieties need more specific environments and care.
Oxalis triangularisThe Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Creating conditions similar to the native habitat where your chosen species is found gives the best results.
Light
The amount of sun exposure depends on the species.
Tropical plants hardy in USDA zones 9 to 10 will tolerate more direct light.
Oxalis adenophyllaThe Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Most species grown in zones 5 to 8 thrive best with bright indirect light in the morning.
All species benefit from afternoon shade.
Heat generated by too much sun is more likely to cause poor performance.
Soil
PlantOxalisin a location with fertile, well-draining soil with a slightly acidic pH.
Garden plants benefit from compost added to the soil.
Houseplants thrive in a mix of indoor potting soil with added sand or grit.
Water
Oxalisresponds best to conditions on the dry side and quickly declines in soggy soil.
Water every 1 to 2 weeks except in cases of extended heat.
Tropical species may need water more often.
MostOxalis, garden-grown and houseplants, enter a period of dormancy in late summer or early autumn.
For otherOxalis, including houseplants, temperatures between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit are adequate.
You may need toprovide additional humidityfor tropical species grown as houseplants.
Fertilizer
Oxalisgains the most benefit from soil enriched with compost and organic nutrients.
Alternatively, apply an inorganic NPK 10-10-10 or 5-10-10 slow-release fertilizer at the start of the growing season.
Fertilize houseplants monthly with a diluted, liquid, and all-purpose houseplant food.
Discontinue feeding for all types during dormancy.
Removefoliagewhich has turned brown and died back.
Deadhead spent flowers by removing the entire stem at the base.
Place the seedling in the middle of the pot with the crown slightly above soil level and water thoroughly.
PottedOxalisshould be divided annually or moved into a container 2 inches larger in diameter.
Remove the plant from its original pot using a garden trowel or your hands to lift it.
Replant theOxalisin a larger pot while adding and tamping down the soil and water well.
Keep potted plants in an unheated basement or garage and allow them to go dormant.
Remove leaves that have died back and withhold water and fertilizer.
Garden plants perennial to your growing zone can be pruned back to ground level in autumn.
For perennial species grown outside their hardiness zone, dig corms in autumn.
Houseplants need a one to three month rest period.
After the required dormancy period, return theOxalisplant to receive bright, indirect light, and resume seasonal maintenance.
Apply neem oil as a preventive or in severe cases treat with a pesticide listed specifically for leafminers.
Fungal infections including mildew, leaf spots, and rust can affectOxalisand can be treated with fungicides.
Letting yourOxalishouseplant become slightly rootbound can also encourage blooming.
What Do Oxalis Flowers Look and Smell Like?
Oxalisblooms consist of five ray-bang out petals with one bloom or bloom cluster for each stem.
Some species are highly fragrant.
Common Problems With Oxalis
Most problems occur due to inadequate environmental conditions or maintenance errors.
Failure to Bloom
A period of dormancy is key to gettingOxalisto bloom.
Chances of flowers improve when the species selected are hardy in your growing zone.
There are three potential reasons why yourOxalismay be drooping.
First, the plant may be overwatered.
Allow 75 percent of the soil to dry between waterings.
Second, the plant is not receiving enough light.
This can cause stems to become leggy and fall over reaching for better light.
Third, the plant may be entering into dormancy.
Some species ofOxalisare considered invasive.
These are usually species that spread through underground rhizomes as opposed to ornamental bulb/corm species.
Many species that originate from corms can be grown as houseplants in the right conditions.
Shamrock Plant, ASPCA
Buttercup oxalis, Invasive Plant Atlas of the U.S.
