When to Plant Oxalis Bulbs for Vibrant Flowers and Foliage

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As theyre easy growers both in-ground and in containers, feel free to use this plentiful plant for edging, container gardens, or as indoor windowsill accents. Oxalis love sunlight but appreciate some protection during the hottest part of the day. For example, south-facing windows are perfect for winter but may be too hot during the summer. In USDA zones 6 through 10, it can grow outdoors in borders or edgings but should be treated as a houseplant in cold winter areas.

Oxalis go dormant in the summer rather than the winter and prefer being planted in the spring, as this lines up with their regular blooming period. Many species flower sometime between spring and summer with possible repeat blooms in the fall. While foliage typically emerges 3–4 weeks after planting, flowers can take 8–10 weeks to arrive.

• Find a spot with well-drained soil that gets a lot of sun for your Oxalis if you want to plant it outside. If you live somewhere warmer, make sure there is some shade in the afternoon. To plant your Oxalis bulbs, make holes that are big enough to hold them and space them out about 3–4 inches apart and 1–1 ½ inches deep. After putting the bulbs in the holes, fill in the gaps with soil and lightly press down on it.
• It’s best to plant in a container in a bright, direct area of your home. Fill the container about three quarters of the way to the top with well-drained potting mix. Before putting the bulbs on top, water the soil to settle it down and leave a few inches between each one. Cover the bulbs with 1–2 inches of additional soil. If your Oxalis came already planted, you can skip this step and use the container that came with it.
• Water the plant lightly—½ to 1 cup should work—until the top growth shows up.

• When the top half of the soil feels dry, water lightly about once a week while the plant is actively growing.
• If your Oxalis plant is still growing, give it a light dose of diluted liquid fertilizer once a month.
• Cut off the plant’s dead leaves in late summer, when it starts to die and go into dormancy.
• While your plant is in its dormant period, don’t water or feed it.
• Once your Oxalis starts to grow back in the spring, you can start watering and fertilizing it again.

How to care for Oxalis triangularis – the basics

Your oxalis will bloom from spring until the first frost with little light pink flowers. Heres an overview of false shamrock care:

• Water: Water when the top 2 cm (1 inch) of soil is dry, about once every two to three weeks. Make sure your pot has drainage holes. When there is more light, water more often. When there is less light, water less often.
• Light: Thrives in bright indirect to bright direct light.
• Humidity: Any humidity level will do. Normal room humidity is fine.
• Temperature: Best not to let it go below 60°F (15°C).
• Use a slow-release fertilizer once a month during the growing season.
• Pruning: Simply pinch off any dead or discolored foliage.
• To make more oxalis, you have to wait until the next season to separate the rhizomes.

How To Plant Oxalis Bulbs In Just 2 Minutes

FAQ

Where is the best place to plant Oxalis?

• Light: Oxalis prefers bright, indirect light but can tolerate some direct sunlight, especially in the morning or late afternoon. Avoid placing them in direct sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch their leaves. 

• Soil: They need well-drained soil that is slightly acidic to neutral. If you have heavy clay soil, you may need to amend it with compost or organic matter to improve drainage. 

• Location:
  • Outdoor: Choose a spot in full sun to partial shade, especially in hot climates. 

  • Indoor: Place them near a bright window with filtered light or use grow lights to supplement natural light. 

• Climate: Oxalis are generally cool-season plants and prefer temperatures around 60°F. They may not tolerate freezing temperatures, so they may need to be brought indoors or treated as annuals in colder climates. 

• Watering: Keep the soil moist but not soggy, especially during the growing season. 

• Dormancy: Oxalis plants will go dormant during the winter months and can be placed in a cool, dark room. 

• Spacing: In the garden, space plants 3-4 inches apart and 1-1 1/2 inches deep. 

• Container Planting: Use a well-draining potting mix and plant bulbs about an inch deep. 

• Forcing Bulbs: You can force oxalis bulbs indoors before planting them outdoors by placing them in a bright, cool location. 

Do Oxalis come back every year?

• Dormancy:

  Oxalis plants, especially those grown from bulbs or tubers, require a period of dormancy each year. This dormancy is a natural part of their lifecycle and allows them to store energy for the next growing season. 

• Foliage Die-back:

  During dormancy, the leaves of Oxalis plants may die back, and the plant may appear to be dying. 

• Reemergence:

  With proper care, including reducing watering during dormancy and providing bright, indirect light and moderate watering when they emerge, the plant will come back better than ever. 

• Perennial Nature:

  Many species of Oxalis are perennials, meaning they live for more than two years. This means that with proper care, they can grow back and bloom year after year. 

• Annual vs. Houseplant:

  Some Oxalis species, like Oxalis triangularis, can be grown either as an annual or a houseplant. If grown in the ground in a colder climate, the tubers can be lifted and stored during the winter to be replanted in the spring. 

• Houseplant Care:

  If growing Oxalis as a houseplant, you can let it go dormant in the winter by reducing watering and placing it in a cool, dark spot. In the spring, you can bring it back to a bright, indirect light location and resume watering. 

Do Oxalis bulbs multiply?

• Natural Multiplication:

  Oxalis plants naturally produce new bulbs or corms (the underground storage structures) from the main plant. These new bulbs can then develop into separate plants. 

• Propagation by Division:

  Due to this natural multiplication, Oxalis are very easy to propagate by dividing the plant. You can simply take the mature plant out of the soil, gently separate the bulbs or corms, and plant each one in its own pot or spot. 

• Rapid Growth:

  Oxalis bulbs tend to multiply quickly, making them an easy plant to propagate and spread. 

• Easy to Manage:

  If the plant becomes too large or overcrowded, you can easily divide it and create multiple plants.