Fabulous shamrock-like foliage of Oxalis triangularis
Oxalis triangularis (Purple Shamrock, Purple Leaf Shamrock)
What a stunner Oxalis triangularis is! We’re absolutely captivated by their uniquely colored leaves of deep maroon-purple and unusual trifoliolate foliage! Small clusters of light pink to lavender flowers borne above the lovely foliage display a wonderful contrast too. It is truly impressive!
We’ve reintroduced a hanging pot of this plant to our tropical garden collection early last November and today the clumps have multiplied beautifully. The more, the merrier as eventually we would want to have more plants for free! 
In fact, we did plant Oxalis triangularis which we named Butterfly Leaves about 3 years ago. Unfortunately, in less than 3 months it just died suddenly, which we attributed to root rot. We must have over watered, thinking that the plant was thirsty when its foliage folded down – how ignorant! Hopefully now, with added knowledge from researching the internet, we’ll know how to care for these lovelies and they’ll stay happy and healthy forever.
Plant Profile, Culture and Propagation -:
- Botanical Name: Oxalis triangularis spp. Triangularis. (Oxalis is from the Greek word ‘Oxis’ meaning acid, which refers to the acidity of the leaves)
- Common Name: Purple Shamrock, Dark Leaf Shamrock, Purpleleaf False Shamrock, Lucky Shamrock
- Family name: Oxalidaceae (wood sorrel family)
- Plant type: An ornamental annual or perennial plant, native to Brazil, South America.
- Light: Filtered sun to light shade, preferably with morning sun and afternoon shade. Tolerates shade, but produces best foliage color and flowering in bright indirect light.
- Moisture: Regular watering moderately in active growing, but reduce watering during dormant periods which most bulbous, rhizomatous and tuberous plants undergo. Water directly onto soil as it does not like wet leaves.
- Soil: Well-drained medium, preferably a mix of coarse sand, tiny pebbles and potting soil. Soil must not be too rich otherwise foliage will prevail over flowers
- Propagation: By division of vegetative offsets from matured clumps or by rhizomes (bulbs). Plant the bulbs about an inch deep in potting mix, water and set it at a sunny area. Plantlets will sprout in less than 6 weeks. Read a comprehensive planting guide from Easy To Grow Bulbs.com. To get more plants from a single rhizome, just break it into smaller pieces and plant them sideways if unsure of which side of the broken piece is up or down.
- Features:
Oxalis triangularis is a low growing clump-forming herbaceous plant that reaches a height of 7-10 inches with a spread of 10-15 inches. It forms clumps rather quickly and bears velvety heart-shaped trifoliate leaves like the Shamrock’s foliage, and are fabulously hued in dark maroon-purple with a central blotch of wine-red on each leaflet. The plant is thus called Oxalis triangularis, as an obvious reference to the three-sided leaves that are borne in clusters of 3 and held at tip of slender succulent stems, that can arch downwards due to the sheer weight of the leaves. The clove-like leaves will fold down from sunset till the morning light and even during times of water stress, extreme heat or wind, which is a characteristic of Oxalis. Clusters of dainty, light-pink to lilac or lavender flowers that are funnel-shaped, are borne above the mounds of foliage, creating a stunning contrast. - Usage: Oxalis triangularis is popularly grown indoors as a potted houseplant or in green houses. In fact, it is the only Oxalis that does relatively well indoors. It is ideal to be grown outdoors too in hanging baskets or mixed containers at porches, patios and decks, or on ground at front of garden beds and borders, even shaded beneath shrubs in woodland garden. Its leaves, flowers and roots are edible, but beware that consumption of its leaves in large quantities is detrimental as they contain oxalic acid.
- Care: Best way of cultivating Oxalis triangularis is in pots or containers. Provide lots of light or sunshine all year round, as it requires excellent light to prevent etiolation. Water well and feed lightly during its growing periods, but withhold them during dormancy. Get to know more from other oxalis gardeners at Dave’s Garden.
- Oxalis Images: From Pacific Bulb Society and International Bulb Society.
Here are some subspecies (spp.) of Oxalis triangularis, with some images here:
- spp. Birgit : green leaves, pink flowers.
- spp. Cupido – beetroot-red leaves, pale pink flowers.
- spp. Fanny – mottled green leaves, pink flowers.
- spp. Francis – bright maroon leaves without markings, pinkish lilac flowers.
- spp. Gin-no-mai – blotched green leaves, light pink flowers.
- spp. Irish Mist – speckled green leaves, white flowers.
- spp. Marmer – blotched green leaves, white flowers.
- spp. Mijke – bright, burgundy-red shamrock leaves with red markings, pale pink flowers.
- spp. Papilionacea – green leaves with undersides flushed burgundy, pinkish white flowers.
- spp. Papilionacea ‘Atropurpurea’ – burgundy-maroon leaves with red central markings, pink flowers.
- spp. Sunny – bright, burgundy-red leaves with darker margins, pink flowers.
- spp. Triangularis – dark maroon-purple leaves with a central blotch of wine-red, light pink to lilac or lavender flowers.
There are a few species out of the many (about 800 species) in the genus Oxalis that are classified as invasive weeds in the United States, such as Oxalis pes-caprae, Oxalis corniculata and Oxalis stricta.
We’re so delighted to know that the species ‘triangularis’ and many other cultivated species aren’t classified as such! Hooray, we can continue to grow and enjoy their beauty all year round! 
Update: 20080914 -
So wonderful to notice that our potted Oxalis have sparkled again with a vengeance, so to speak. We experimented with a couple of changes: 1) relocated to our courtyard where it is cooler with filtered sunlight and away from the harshness of the blazing morning to midday sun, and 2) water thrice weekly instead of everyday. Now, they’re looking so healthy, happy and sporting lots of leaves and pretty flowers as seen in these latest photos. Moreover, leaves do not fold down here in the day as they did previously outside, in hot sun. 
Update: 20090301 – More recent photos here.
Last edited: August 12, 2009
Tags: annuals, flowering plants, groundcovers, hanging plants, indoor plants, lavender/lilac, outdoor plants, perennials, pink, purple
May 4th, 2008 at 7:18 am
Dear Jacq, after much pain searching “high and low” on the internet, I had finally found the name of this pretty and rare plant bought from the nursery !! Oxalis Triangularis or Love Plant, it is so called !! (The aunty at the nursery told me it is called “butterfly plant” but a search on the internet actually showed me Christia Vespertilionis, which was different). I am even more delighted to find that you have Oxalis T under your website. Thank you for sharing your knowledge on growing this plant , and also the useful links to other experts specialising on this plant.
I had a pot which withered under my ignorance (overwatering and spraying of of water directly onto the leaves, the stems looked eaten up by some whitish fungus at the soil level). I saved 2 clumps and repotted them. 1 clump looks healthy, the other clump looks withered, question: shall I cut off the stems of the withered clump and leave the root inside to see if it multiplies? Wish me luck !
Cheers! From Tanya.
May 4th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
Hello Tanya! Thanks for visiting and penning your thoughts and appreciation. I’m happy that you’ve found the information useful.
Hmm…I can relate to your Oxalis experience as we too lost our first pot of Oxalis. As for the present ones, they are still surviving, going into their 6th month with us though not as vibrant – maybe need to repot…or are they going into dormancy? Too soon to tell as we are still experimenting. Probably they’re like the Caladium that offshoot from tubers too after a dormant period. So, I would agree with your idea of cutting off the withered stems and let nature take over.
Wish you all the best, Tanya! And happy gardening!
June 2nd, 2008 at 5:31 am
Hi, I have several varieties of oxilis in my garden. One plant is about 18 years old. They get about 2 hours of direct sunlight (11 to 1). They are full and are blooming. My problem is this ..one of the Shamrocks has some rusty coloring around some of the leaves and the 2 dark leaved ones have many small holes and rusty colored spons on the leaves making them unattractive. Could the problem be that the sun is burning the leaves? I water about 2-3 hours before the sun is on them but the water does not always evaporate before then. Do I need to fertilize?
June 3rd, 2008 at 1:26 am
Hello Bette! Wow…amazing to read that one of your oxalis plant can survive for 18 yrs! With regards to your enquiry, hope someone out there who has more experience with oxalis can provide you with the right answers.
If there’s a need to water our oxalis before the sun ‘hits’ the plant, we’d water directly onto the soil and not on the leaves to avoid them being scorched. Recently, our oxalis plant showed some discoloration too on quite many of their leaves, so we just let them be as we assumed that was a natural process. And, when they flopped, one at a time and become detached at crown, we remove them. Then, as new offsets sprouted gradually, indicating that all is well, we gave a light feed and now the plant is looking happier and healthier!
July 13th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
In regards to Bette’s message, she might have already found the answer to her problem, but if not, check out http://hortchat.com/info/shamrocks. It sounds like the same problem that others had. Good luck and I hope your plant is doing better!
July 13th, 2008 at 10:31 pm
Thanks for sharing this useful link, Jessica.
September 15th, 2008 at 3:37 am
where can I find Bulbs from which i want to grow abot 100 of this lovely plant for giving gift
September 15th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
Hi Prakash! Probably at http://www.easytogrowbulbs.com/.
September 23rd, 2008 at 5:00 am
I have recently taking a cutting of my very successful oxalis triangularis to France where it is growing nicely in a couple of pots inside. However I noticed on my last visit that it seems to have become ‘French’! By that I mean that the leaves seem to shut down between 12-3pm (even though it is in a bright spot) as if it is taking a ’siesta’, something my plants have never done in the UK. Can anyone explain why this might happen?
Many thanks
October 1st, 2008 at 7:27 am
Hi:
Someone gave me an awesome oxalis triangularis. My question is…is it toxic to cats? I’m desperate for an answer. Please email me if you have any good info. Thanks!
Tom
December 18th, 2008 at 1:27 am
HELLO CAN ANYBODY TELL ME WHERE I CAN BUY THIS PLANT IN THE UK PLEASE???
THANKS
JULIE LOCKE
December 27th, 2008 at 3:30 am
Natasha, toooo much sun in your French location they do shut down because that.
In California I have them indoor early morning 3 hr direct sun then bright shade, they shut down immediately in hot sun.
April 7th, 2009 at 5:43 am
Proof positive that the definition of a weed depends on human perspectives – this plant is considered a terrible pest and weed that is hard to eradicate in New Zealand where I live… Shift your perspective and oxalis becomes a hardy easy-to-grow plant with lovely foliage and flowers.
May 24th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
My heart is sad – I have had a ‘purple Oxalis Triangularis’ since 1994 in a great pot – indoors – it has had rough times, but always came back. But not this time.
I am desperately trying to locate another – one that is already growing in a pot – not bulbs – but having a hard time.
Can you tell me where I could buy one – I live in Portland, OR – but would mail order from anywhere.
My late husband was Irish – and it was ours together – and has been such a great reminder of him….I feel a loss. (probably silly)
Beverly Collins
May 25th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
Hi Beverly! Sorry to read of your loss. Too bad, I’m unable to help out. Hope someone visiting here will be able to assist you in your search, otherwise I think you will have to google further for answers.
May 26th, 2009 at 10:59 am
To Jacqueline:
It’s not silly to be attached to a plant! I have several that remind me of my mother, and I would be very sad to see them go.
About buying oxalis, it really is very easy to grow them from the little rhizome bulbs, probably cheaper too. You only have to plant them 1″ deep in quick-draining soil, and water thoroughly once-twice a week depending on how hot it is (whenever the pot feels very light, water it). You can plant them close, too; the pot will fill out faster if you do.
In about 6 weeks the bulbs will sprout and send up very cute little shoots. You will get flowers within six months if there’s plenty of light, or in the next spring.
You could try ordering the bulbs from this Oregon nursery; they seem reasonably priced:
http://www.forestfarm.com/product.php?id=3198
May 26th, 2009 at 12:32 pm
Thank you, Lauren!
Hope Beverly Collins gets to read your lovely suggestion of getting oxalis bulbs instead and know how easy it is to grow them, a very practical alternative I think if a potted plant is unavailable.
August 10th, 2009 at 11:56 pm
can you break peices off and grow in seperate pots?
August 12th, 2009 at 4:45 pm
If you’re referring to the bulbs, yes, you can, Dan!
October 8th, 2009 at 9:15 pm
do the flowers seed and if so can the seeds then be planted?
October 9th, 2009 at 5:06 pm
I’ve yet to see the flowers set seeds, Dan! Not sure whether they do, though.
October 20th, 2009 at 5:09 am
Hi Christopher – thanks for your comments re: my plants in France – only just looked at the site again nearly a year later – I’ll remember to keep them out of the sun!
November 11th, 2009 at 8:03 am
Tom – I’m not sure if they are toxic to cats, but my cat ate them and then quickly puked them up, so I think they might be! She’s alright though…
I just looked it up on the ASPCA website and it states that it is toxic to cats, however, it needs to be consumed in large quantities. Here is what it says:
Toxicity: Toxic to Cats, Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Horses
Toxic Principles: Soluble calcium oxylates
Clinical Signs: All parts of the plant have toxic potential, although the possibility of serious effects is usually limited to ingestions of large quantities. Consuming Oxalis species can produce colic in horses, and kidney failure is possible if significant amounts are eaten.