How to Grow Shamrocks

Shamrocks look similar to common clovers, but belong to a different genus.

Despite their clover-shaped foliage, common shamrocks belong to the genus Oxalis, and are not true clovers. The plants remain popular around St. Patrick's Day, and many nurseries offer shamrocks and shamrock bulbs for sale during the winter months. In addition to their attractive leaves, shamrocks also produce small, five-petaled flowers in shades of white and pink, depending on the variety. Widely grown as houseplants, shamrocks require only minimal care to thrive in most homes. With a forced dormant period, they can be coaxed into flowering year after year.

Things You'll Need

• Planter with drainage holes
• Potting soil
• Liquid houseplant fertilizer

Instructions

1. Plant shamrock bulbs in late summer or early fall. Place well-drained potting soil into a planter with drainage holes. Dig a 1/2-inch-deep hole in the center of the soil and place a bulb inside. Cover the bulb with soil and pat it gently around the bulb.

2. Place the container in a dark room until growth emerges, in late winter or early spring.

3. Place your shamrock plants in an area that receives bright, indirect or filtered light, such as a south-facing window. Keep the plants at a temperature between 50 and 65 degrees at night, and no more than 75 degrees during the day.

4. Water the shamrocks about once a week, or any time the surface of the soil feels dry to the touch, beginning when the growth emerges. Shamrocks prefer evenly moist soil during active growth. Cease watering in fall, when the plants enter their dormant stage.

5. Feed the shamrock plants once weekly during active growth. Dilute a liquid houseplant fertilizer to about one-quarter the dosage recommended by the manufacturer, or feed just once monthly with full-strength fertilizer. Follow the instructions on the package for the best results.

6. Move the shamrocks to a cool, dark room in late summer or early fall when the leaves begin to die back. Stop watering and fertilizing. Allow the plants to remain in the room for two to three months.

7. Check for new growth every few days after two months have passed. Return the plant to its original location and resume care once new growth emerges.

Tips & Warnings

• Provide more light if your shamrocks begin growing tall and lanky. Reduce water if the leaves begin to yellow.

• Avoid placing actively growing shamrocks in low-light areas, as this can stunt their growth and prevent the plants from producing flowers.

• Temperatures above 75 degrees may induce dormancy in shamrocks. Keep them below this temperature for active growth.

References

• Michigan State University Extension: Oxalis -- Shamrock
• Fine Gardening: Genus Oxalis (Shamrock, Sorrel)
• University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service: Plant of the Week -- Shamrock
• "Bulbs for Indoors"; Robert M. Hays, Janet Marinelli, Brooklyn Botanic Garden; 1996