Care of Shamrock Plants

Shamrocks produce dainty flowers.

The shamrock plant, or Oxalis, is a flowering ornamental that is as prized for its foliage as it is for its blooms. Shamrocks feature green or deep purple leaves that are grouped together in sets of three. Each individual leaf is either heart-shaped or triangular. Leaves fold closed at night, then spread open again in the day. Flowers are pink, white or yellow and are nestled among the foliage. Shamrocks thrive in pots, where they are usually grown, providing color throughout the year.

Things You'll Need

• Water
• Fertilizer
• Shears

Instructions

1. Set the shamrock in a window where it will receive a lot of light, such as on a south- or east-facing windowsill. Provide at least six hours of sunlight a day.

2. Water shamrocks when the soil surface begins to feel dry. Water from the top until the excess liquid begins to drip from the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot. Empty the drip tray after watering, as standing water can lead to root rot or disease. Water only when the plant is green and actively growing.

3. Fertilize shamrocks every three weeks during the growing period. Apply a general-purpose houseplant food at the rate recommended on the package label.

4. Stop watering and fertilizing the shamrock when the leaves begin turning brown and the plant starts to die back as it enters dormancy. Trim away all dead leaves and shoots and set the plant in a cool, dark room until fresh growth appears. Then resume the normal care schedule.

Tips & Warnings

• Shamrocks go through several dormancy periods each year where the plant appears dead, each lasting from one to three months.

• Shamrocks thrive at temperatures between 50 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit at night and 75 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, according to the Iowa State University Extension.

• Do not allow the soil to become soggy. Shamrocks are susceptible to root rot in wet soil. Soggy soil can also lead to fungal diseases.

References

• Iowa State University Extension: The Lucky Shamrock Plant
• University of Vermont Extension: Shamrocks for St. Patrick's Day