How to Grow Oxalis Shamrock Plant

oxalis shamrock plant has lots of green

Oxalis is often called a Shamrock Plant because it has three leaves like a shamrock. There are many different species of this plant, and the green plant with white or pink flowers grows well in Zone 8 or Central Texas.

Order: Oxalidales
Family: Oxalidaceae
Genus: Oxalis

Oxalis is reasonably easy to grow and multiplies on its own for care-free propagation of this great perennial flowering plant. If you like gardening or growing perennial flowers, Oxalis is a good choice in most climates.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• A few oxalis plants
• A shady area
• A trowel

1. Locate a shady spot.

   Find a suitable environment to grow Oxalis or Shamrock Plant. It is of the Wood Sorrel family, and likes a woodsy shady area with rich soil. This is a perennial and it will propagate itself once it gets started.

2. Divide the roots to grow the Oxalis plant.

   Notice that the roots are developed like tiny carrots, and most varieties are tubers. There are about 900 different kinds of Oxalis. We grow the green leaf one with white flowers. The leaves are three lobes and the flowers are five petals and we can grow Oxalis or Shamrock Plant in Central Texas so long as we plant it in shade.

3. Prepare the soil with a trowel before trying to grow Oxalis shamrock plant.

   Be sure the planting area is in the shade most of the day, and that the soil is rich with humus, mulch, and preferably decaying leaves.

4. Plant separately so the Oxalis can multiply.

   Plant each little Oxalis or shamrock plant separately in shallow soil, just to the top of the "carrot" where the tender plant begins. Plant these in a triangle or design just a few inches apart. This will allow them to multiply and make a heavy grouping by spring.

5. Press the soil down to grow the Oxalis plant.

   Handle the Oxalis with care. The Oxalis is a sensitive plant, and the leaves often close when touched. It may droop for a few days, but with water and a little shade, it will perk up. The root will not be damaged, and it should grow with a little encouragement.

6. Watch for blooms in the winter.

   Grow Oxalis shamrock plant and see blooms in the winter months. These plants have beautiful white or pink flowers and lots of them. They are about done blooming when other plants are just waking up from a winter nap. We try to have something in bloom at all times of the year, and the blooms are a great reason to grow Oxalis Shamrock Plant.

Tips & Warnings

• We often write about landscaping and growing flowers in Central Texas. See more articles like this one in Resources below.

• copyright 2009 Linda Richard

• Feel free to link to this article or send it to a friend. Do not copy.

• Oxalic acid comes from Oxalis, so parts of this plant are not safe to eat.

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