Though it might remind you of Saint Patrick’s Day, today’s Plant-o-pedia subject, the Oxalis, or Shamrock, is a great all-year-round addition to your plant collection, with it’s tiny white flowers making an occasional appearance, and it’s ability to bounce back to life when neglected for too long. The Oxalis will also stay compact, so if you don’t have a ton of space for plants, this one is a great fit for you. And heads up, if you have a cat, this plant may not be your jam, because we recently discovered that they are very poisonous to our feline friends.
GET THE GREEN: Shamrock Plant (Oxalis hybrid)
WATER: Frequent light watering—just enough to keep plant moist but not soggy.
SUNLIGHT: Bright to moderate indirect light.
PLACEMENT: Great tabletop or shelf plant for a bright kitchen or office, where half-finished water glasses can be drizzled on them daily.
WORD OF CAUTION: This plant is poisonous to cats.
Got a plant you want to learn more about? Leave a comment and you may find it in a future Plant-o-Pedia!
Photo credit: 1) Dabito from The New Bohemians 2) Happy Interior Blog
Plant-o-Pedia excerpt from The New Bohemians with thanks to Stephanie Bartron.
Erin says
09 September 2015 at 10:43 amI sure do love this plant, but it is worth noting that it is VERY POISONOUS to cats. I almost lost my kitty 2 years ago after she ingested just a few nibbles of my oxalis.
Justina Blakeney says
09 September 2015 at 10:53 amOh no!! I had no idea. I’ll be sure to add this to the post. Thanks for letting us know!
Melanie says
09 September 2015 at 10:45 amThey look like purple butterfly wings! So delicate and beautiful.
Igor says
09 September 2015 at 11:42 amThanks for including my photo, Justina!!! Love my oxalis dearly!
vanessa says
09 September 2015 at 5:04 pmYou sold me on the fact that they are able to bounce back after being neglected for too long! :) I may be an unfortunate home for all plants…but i try!
Neyon says
10 September 2015 at 10:10 amThey look like butterflies and kites, and so free, lovely and alive :)
Lisa says
14 September 2015 at 9:09 amOxalis is my absolute favorite plant and I have several of them in my home. The deep eggplant color and the delicate purple blooms make it such a distinct cross between a plant and a flower. They definitely withstand watering neglect and I’ve even grown the roots in water with much success.
Marion Order says
20 June 2017 at 9:45 amPlease can you tell me where I can buy the Oxalis bright red plant or seed.
Sameer says
14 September 2018 at 3:55 amYou have a very good approach.
Feri says
01 October 2018 at 9:44 pmI have a small pot of this plant and it is placed in good conditions in my room. But the leaves grow too tall and fall aside and it dosen’t get bushy. I don’t know what to do since the stems are very delicate and I may might hurt them.