Scientific Name
Oxalis versicolor L.
Common Name(s)
Candy Cane Sorrel, Candy Cane Oxalis, Peppermint Rock Oxalis
Synonym(s)
Oxalis versicolor var. versicolor
Scientific Classification
Family: Oxalidaceae
Genus: Oxalis
Flower
Color: White and red
Bloom Time: Summer
Description
Oxalis versicolor is a fully hardy perennial evergreen subshrub that grows up to 12 inches (30 cm) tall. The leaves are green and clover-like.
The flowers are red and white, spiral-shaped, and appear in summer.
How to Grow and Care
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. Oxalis need bright indirect light to grow well and produce flowers. They can often bloom all winter if kept in a sunny spot. 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. Oxalis grows best in cool temperatures between 60ºF to 70ºF (15ºC to 21ºC) during the day and 55ºF to 65ºF (13ºC to 18ºC) at night. The soil for an Oxalis should be loose and sandy rather than rich and organic. Feed an Oxalis monthly in the spring and summer 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.
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 unless you want to change up the pot for looks.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Oxalis.
Origin
Oxalis versicolor is native to South Africa.
Links
- Back to genus Oxalis
- Plantpedia: Browse flowering plants by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, or Origin
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