Oxalis tends to get a bad rap because people think of it as a weed, but honestly, it’s got a lot going for it. Sure, some native species spread fast and can take over a space, but plenty of ornamental varieties behave themselves and look fantastic. 

Their clover-shaped leaves come in all sorts of colors, and their little flowers add a cheerful touch to garden beds or pots. Plus, many oxalis types are happy inside as houseplants, which is great if you deal with cold winters. Well, if you are also interested in growing this flower, then all you need to do is use this guide as a reference. 

PLANTING OXALIS

The most important thing that you need to know is the correct way to plant Oxalis. 

• Where to plant:

Oxalis likes full sun or light shade and grows best in fertile, well-drained soil. If you live somewhere hot, give them afternoon shade so they don’t get scorched.

• When to plant:

Wait until late spring when frost is long gone, before putting the bulbs outdoors. You’ll see leaves about three to four weeks later, and flowers show up around eight to ten weeks after planting.

• How to plant:

In garden beds, plant bulbs about two inches deep and space them four to six inches apart. Cover them lightly with soil. If your soil needs a boost, mix in some compost first. For pots, sink the bulbs an inch deep in well-draining potting mix. About six to eight bulbs fill a six-inch pot nicely.

• Forcing oxalis bulbs:

If you want early flowers indoors, you can “force” oxalis by planting bulbs in a pot and putting them in bright light somewhere cool, around 55 to 60°F. Water them so the soil stays evenly moist, but not soggy. Blooms can last for several months. Unlike some other bulbs, oxalis doesn’t need chilling to sprout.

OXALIS CARE AND MAINTENANCE

After correctly planting Oxalis, the care and maintenance of this plant is also quite important for its proper growth. 

• Watering:

Don’t let oxalis dry out, or you’ll see them wilt in a hurry. Keep the soil consistently moist, but make sure it never gets soggy, as wet feet will rot the bulbs.

• Fertilizing:

If your soil has plenty of compost, you probably don’t need fertilizer. For oxalis in pots, mix in a slow-release fertilizer when planting. If the plants go dormant in summer, hold off on feeding them until they wake up again.

• Pruning and deadheading:

Oxalis drops spent flowers on its own, so you don’t need to deadhead. You can trim back the leaves anytime if you want to shape or neaten things up. When the plants go dormant, usually in summer, the leaves might brown and die back; just cut them to about an inch from the soil.

• Overwintering:

If winter gets colder than zone 7 where you live, dig up the bulbs before frost hits and store them somewhere cool and dry until spring. For potted oxalis, bring them inside, stop watering, and let them rest dormant in a frost-free spot. When spring rolls around, just repot, water, and feed to start the growing season.

• Pests and diseases:

You probably won’t have many pest problems, but keep an eye out for aphids, whiteflies, and spider mites. Fungal spots, rust, or powdery mildew can pop up now and then, so if you notice anything off, treat the plants promptly.