What Kind of Light Does a Shamrock Plant Need?
The shamrock, scientific name Oxalis regnelli, has long been associated with St. Patrick and Ireland. It is a popular indoor houseplant because of its clover-shaped leaves that occur in groups of three. But when properly cared for it also will produce clusters of small white, red, pink or yellow blooms, depending on variety. TheGardenersRake.com says the shamrock's Irish association came because St. Patrick supposedly used the plant to illustrate the Holy Trinity to people he converted. Does this Spark an idea?
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Light Requirements
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The shamrock plant grows from a bulb and does best in bright, direct sunlight. It will survive in indirect light, says GardenGuides.com, but to produce blooms and the deepest green leaves the plant should be kept in direct sunlight. The plants will live for several years if properly cared for.
Soil and Fertilizing
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Shamrocks do well in commercial potting soil. Soil should be kept moist but not soaking wet, says GradenGuides.com. You should water until water runs out of the holes at the bottom of the pot. Allow the pot to drain thoroughly. Never keep a shamrock plant in standing water. While the plant is growing and blooming, you should fertilize with a commercial liquid houseplant fertilizer about every three weeks, following product directions.
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Dormant Period
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Shamrocks, like other bulb plants, have periods of dormancy. The plant appears to be dying but all it is doing is going to sleep for a while. Shamrocks go dormant roughly twice a year, says TheGardenersRake.com. The plant's leaves turn yellow and the plant looks droopy. When this happens, cut back on watering and pick off the yellowed leaves. Soon the whole plant will look like it is dying. At this point, you should cut back all the leaves and stems and move the plant to a cool, dimly lit area to rest. It will stay dormant for about two months. When new growth appears, move the plant back into sunlight, water it well and resume normal care.
Repotting Shamrocks
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Shamrocks should be repotted every year or two by transferring them to a slightly larger container. This gives them fresh nutrition and a bit of room for new root growth, says TheGardenersRake.com. Repot them in spring when the plant is actively growing. Wash the new pot thoroughly and allow it to dry. Remove the shamrock from the existing pot by putting the pot on its side and tapping on the sides while gently pulling at the base of the plant until it slides out. Put 2 inches of new soil in the new pot, put the plant in and fill in around the edges with new soil until the pot is full. Water it thoroughly.
Shamrocks Outdoors
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Shamrocks can be planted outdoors in a sunny area with well-drained soil. The soil should be kept moist but not soggy wet as too much moisture will cause the shamrock bulb to rot, says GardenGuides.com. Use a commercial liquid fertilizer weekly but dilute it to half-strength. Shamrocks can't survive freezing. Transfer the plants from the ground into a pot each autumn before the first frost and put the pot in a sunny window. The plant can be returned to the outdoors in spring after frost danger has passed. You should divide outdoor shamrock bulbs every two years, planting each section into its own pot.
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References
- Photo Credit shamrock image by Olga Khoroshunova from Fotolia.com
