Oxalis are annual or perennial plants. The leaves are divided into three to ten or more obovate and top-notched leaflets, arranged palmately with all the leaflets of roughly equal size. Most species have three leaflets; in these species, the leaves are superficially similar to some clovers.
The flowers have five petals, usually fused at the base, and ten stamens. The petal color varies from white to pink, red, or yellow. The fruit is a small capsule containing several seeds.
Oxalis can be grown indoors as a houseplant or outdoors in the garden. They from the garden center are generally available in the fall or early spring.
Growing Conditions
Light: Oxalis need bright indirect light to grow well and produce flowers. They can often bloom all winter if kept in a sunny spot.
Water: Keep the soil of an Oxalis barely moist but never soggy; allow the top 2 inches (5 cm) of soil to dry out before watering. It's best to water an Oxalis from the bottom so that the thin, fragile stems of the plant don't get waterlogged and the soil stays loose.
Temperature: They grow best in cool temperatures between 60ºF to 70ºF (15ºC to 21ºC) during the day and 55ºF to 65ºF (13ºC to 18ºC) at night.
Soil: The soil for an Oxalis should be loose and sandy rather than rich and organic.
Fertilizer: Feed an Oxalis monthly when actively growing with a basic houseplant food at ½ the recommended strength. Never feed an Oxalis when it is dormant and the bulbs are resting.
Potting and Repotting
The Oxalis doesn't need a big container as it's rather dense and compact for its size. The original potting will be easy, and repotting after that won't have to be done too much after unless you want to change up the pot for looks. The plan tends to grow to the side, with some white flowers coming out in bunches underneath the purple leaves. As long as the pot gives the plant and roots plenty of room to drain, you've done a good job in this process.
Propagation
To propagate the plant, simply split the plant into smaller plants and place them in their own pots. Keep it out of direct sunlight until new shoots appear.
Links
- Back to genus Oxalis
- Plantpedia: Browse flowering plants by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, or Origin