Skip to main content

Oxalis triangularis care: Tips to help its moody foliage thrive

Taking care of your Oxalis triangularis plant

oxalis plant with flowers
pieonane / Pixabay

When you think about leaves, you probably picture green spring foliage or bright fall colors. However, those aren’t the only options! Some plants have colorful leaves year-round, even including colors that aren’t found among the typical fall color ranges. One such plant is Oxalis triangularis, also called false shamrock. Its unique triangular leaves range from deep pink to dark purple. Whether you want a lovely living Halloween decoration or need some stunning goth plants all year long, here’s what you need to know about growing Oxalis triangularis.

Planting Oxalis triangularis

A potted oxalis triangularis plant
FotoRieth / Pixabay

Oxalis triangularis is native to South America, and it grows primarily in rich, well-draining soil along streams. However, this hardy plant isn’t particularly picky and will thrive just about anywhere. To keep it from escaping your garden and spreading into nearby green areas, we recommend growing your Oxalis triangularis in a container. Choose a container with drainage holes and fill it with rich, well-draining soil for the best results.

Recommended Videos

Oxalis triangularis does best in dappled, filtered, or indirect light. While it can tolerate some direct light, Oxalis triangularis can develop sunburns if left in direct light for too long. You can place your plant away from a window in a bright, sunny room or in front of a window with a light, gauzy curtain. When the weather is warm, you can take your Oxalis triangularis outdoors, but avoid leaving it out when there is a risk of frost. Oxalis triangularis is hardy in USDA zones 8 to 11, but should otherwise only be outdoors during mid to late spring and summer. If you do take your Oxalis outside, be sure to give it some protection from the more intense afternoon sun.

Oxalis triangularis care

Oxalis triangularis leaves
InstagramFOTOGRAFIN / Pixabay

Water your Oxalis triangularis whenever the top few inches of the soil are dry or if the leaves begin to wilt. If your plant is outdoors or in direct light, it will need water more frequently than if it’s indoors in filtered or indirect light. Try not to get the leaves or flowers wet when watering it, as wet leaves are more likely to burn, and consistently damp leaves can encourage fungal infections. Instead, lift the leaves gently with one hand to water below them.

Oxalis triangularis doesn’t typically need fertilizer, as it grows slowly and is not a heavy feeder. You can give your plant a light dose of balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer to encourage growth, if you prefer, but your plant will be fine without it. Once a year to every other year, repot your Oxalis triangularis with fresh soil. This will refresh the nutrients it has access to and clear out anything that may have built up in the soil.

While some gardeners prune their houseplants to control their size, they can prune their Oxalis triangularis plants for a different reason. During spring and summer, this plant grows an incredible number of tiny white flowers. However, most people who grow Oxalis do so for the leaves, not the flowers. If you want your plant to focus on leaf production, you can prune the flowers by cutting the stems before the flowers bloom. This will encourage your plant to put more energy toward leaves and less toward flowers.

Is Oxalis triangularis safe for pets?

Oxalis triangularis blooming
Olena758 / Pixabay

Oxalis triangularis is not safe for pets and can cause health problems in cats or dogs eat it. In small amounts, Oxalis triangularis can cause an upset stomach, drooling, and difficulty eating. In larger amounts, or if they eat it regularly, it can cause damage to their kidneys. If your pet has eaten some Oxalis, your vet can help ease the symptoms and make your pet more comfortable while they recover. However, it’s often more effective to keep your plant out of reach of your pets to prevent any problems before they occur.

Oxalis triangularis is mildly toxic to humans as well. However, it is still considered edible by some! Oxalic acid (the toxic compound found in Oxalis plants) can cause stomach irritation and kidney problems (such as an increased risk of kidney stones) in humans. But we are better at processing it than our pets are. Oxalic acid is found in other foods, such as rhubarb and cocoa, to varying degrees. If you have a history of kidney or stomach problems, you may want to consult with your doctor before adding Oxalis leaves to your salad, and you should keep your plants out of reach of small children.

Oxalis triangularis is a stunningly beautiful plant, and it’s remarkably easy to grow. While some people report that it tastes delicious, you should consider the potential health risks carefully before adding it to your diet. Whether on your plate or by your window, this plant is certainly gorgeous, so why not try growing your own today?

Cayla Leonard
Cayla Leonard is a writer from North Carolina who is passionate about plants.  She enjoys reading and writing fiction and…
How to care for the marble queen, a regal and popular pothos plant
Keeping your marble queen alive and thriving
Marble Queen pothos

If you've been around the plant community for longer than five minutes, you probably know what a marble queen pothos is. This prevalent plant is a beauty, and its commonness shouldn't take away from its stunning foliage. Whether you're seeing one for the first time or have had your eye on them for a while, these lovely variegated plants stand out! If you want to keep yours looking its best, you'll need to know how to care for this lovely pothos plant. This simple guide to marble queen pothos care will answer all your questions.
What is a marble queen?

Native to French Polynesia, Epipremnum aureum, or marble queen pothos, is one of the most common houseplants in homes today. The leaves have cream and green variegation that's iconic to this plant and what makes them so loved by plant lovers worldwide — so loved that many plant parents have not one but many marble queens in their collection. They're easy to care for, making them beginner-friendly, and they grow fast, which means they're always a satisfying addition to anyone's indoor garden.

Read more
Manjula pothos care: Everything you need to know
Add a manjula pothos to your houseplant collection
Manjula pothos in a basket

Pothos are well-known plants and loved for their stunning foliage and hardy, low-maintenance reputation. They need little care to thrive and are perfect for beginners and experts alike. There are so many fantastic pothos varieties available, from the elegant marble queen to the classic golden pothos. Manjula pothos are one such variety, and they’re becoming increasingly popular. They’re easy to find online and in many nurseries, and they're just as easy to add to your houseplant collection. Want to try growing your own? Here’s what you need to know about manjula pothos care.
What makes manjula pothos unique?

Manjula pothos is a variegated pothos with green, white, and sometimes silver leaves. Unlike some pothos varieties with cleaner patterns, the variegation on manjula pothos plants is often mixed together, making the patches irregular and more unique. The variegated patches often include flecks or spots of other colors, and there can even be multiple shades of the same color to create a gradient effect.

Read more
How to care for the tricky (but gorgeous) philodendron gloriosum
Add a philodendron gloriosum to your houseplant collection
Philodendron gloriosum

Philodendrons are beautiful and popular houseplants, known for being hardy and lovely. There are many stunning philodendrons, like the pink princess, to choose from, but one you might not be aware of is the Philodendron gloriosum. If you’re searching for a new philodendron to add to your collection, this might be the right plant for you. While they can be a bit tricky to grow, they are worth the effort. Want to get started growing your own? Here’s everything you need to know to keep your Philodendron gloriosum happy and healthy.
What sets Philodendron gloriosum apart?

Philodendron gloriosum is marked by a few unique and interesting characteristics. It has large leaves that are primarily a lush dark green color. The leaves are soft and velvety, and they typically have a slightly elongated heart shape to them. The edges and veins of the leaves are tinted pink, although the veins can also be white or light green.

Read more