Oxalis triangularis
Common name: Purple shamrock · False shamrock · Love plant
Oxalis triangularis is a bulbous perennial native to South America, especially Brazil and Argentina, grown widely as a houseplant and garden ornamental. It is prized for its deep purple, clover-like leaves made of three triangular leaflets that fold down at night, and for its small white to pale pink flowers. It spreads from small bulbils and is one of the most popular ornamental members of the wood-sorrel family.
Care summary
Sun
Bright indirect light; tolerates some direct sun
Water
Keep evenly moist; reduce water during dormancy
Soil
Light, well-draining potting mix
Hardiness
Zones 8–11
Mature height
About 15–30 cm (0.5–1 ft)
Pet safe
No — contains soluble oxalates, toxic to pets if eaten
Difficulty
Easy
Propagation
Propagate by dividing the small bulbs (corms) when repotting or when the plant is dormant. Gently separate the cluster, plant the bulbs a couple of centimeters deep in fresh, well-draining mix, and keep just moist until new growth appears.
Fun facts
- Its leaves fold downward at night and on very cloudy days, a movement called nyctinasty.
- Despite the "shamrock" name, it is not a clover — shamrocks sold around St. Patrick's Day are often this plant.
- It grows from small bulbils, which makes it very easy to propagate by division.
- The plant periodically goes dormant and drops its leaves, then resprouts when watered again.