Is this plant a weed?

Yes, it is often considered a persistent weed in lawns and greenhouses.

Can I grow it in a pot?

It grows very well in containers but will likely spread to nearby pots.

Plant guide

Creeping Oxalis.

Oxalis corniculata

Pronounced ok-SAL-iss kor-nik-yoo-LAY-tuh

Also known as 'ihi, Clover Sorrel, Creeping Lady's Sorrel, Creeping Sorrel, Creeping wood sorrel, Creeping woodsorrel, Horned Oxalis, Oxalis

Creeping Woodsorrel — Photo by jacinta lluch valero (CC BY-SA) via iNaturalist

Creeping Oxalis is a low growing, mat forming perennial often considered a persistent weed in gardens. It features clover like leaves and small yellow flowers that appear throughout the growing season. This plant spreads rapidly by seed and creeping stems, making it quite difficult to eradicate once established.

Another photo of Creeping Oxalis — Photo by Douglas Goldman (CC BY-SA) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 10 to 20 cm
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 7 to 10
Bloom time: Spring to autumn

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist to encourage growth, though it is quite adaptable to various conditions. Watch for rapid spread into unwanted areas, as it can quickly overtake containers or garden beds. Remove the plant before it sets seed to prevent it from becoming an invasive nuisance.

Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged.
Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer sparingly during the active growing season.
Pruning: Trim back stems to control spread and prevent seed production.
Repotting: Repot when the plant becomes root bound or to refresh the soil medium.
Soil: Well draining, fertile soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: -10 to 35°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Short lived perennial, often treated as an annual.
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
The plant becomes root bound and growth slows down.

Safety

People: The plant is considered mildly toxic due to high levels of soluble oxalates.
Pets: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs due to its high concentration of soluble calcium oxalates.
Children: Keep away from small children as the foliage can be mistaken for edible clover and contains oxalates.
Contact allergens: The sap may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: There are no significant respiratory allergens associated with this plant.
Edibility: This plant contains oxalic acid and should be consumed only in very small quantities.

How to identify it

Three heart shaped leaflets
Small yellow five petaled flowers
Creeping stems rooting at nodes
Seed pods explode when touched

Height: 0.05 to 0.2m
Spread: 0.2 to 0.6m
Leaves: green, purple, deciduous
Flowers: yellow, 0.5 to 1cm
Fruit: brown, Summer to autumn

Problems to watch for

AphidsCommon
RustCommon
Root RotUncommon
Slugs and SnailsUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed, division
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: In cold climates, it will die back to the ground. Mulch lightly if you wish to protect the roots from deep freezes.
In containers: It grows easily in any container, but be aware it will quickly colonize the entire pot surface.

Seed

1. Collect the seed pods just before they burst.
2. Scatter seeds on moist potting soil.
3. Keep the soil lightly damp until germination.

Use this plant as a living mulch in large containers where its aggressive nature can be contained.

Grows well with

Creeping Jenny · They share similar moisture needs and create a dense ground cover.

Similar species

Purple Shamrock · It is a popular ornamental relative with larger purple leaves.

Science

Family: Oxalidaceae
Genus: Oxalis
Order: Oxalidales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Cosmopolitan, likely native to Southeast Asia.
Conservation: This plant is considered a widespread weed in many regions and is not of conservation concern.

It thrives in disturbed soils and cracks in pavement by producing vast quantities of seeds.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: ground cover, container filler, rock garden plant

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 5/9
Light: 6/9
Temperature: 6/9
Moisture: 5/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is this plant a weed?: Yes, it is often considered a persistent weed in lawns and greenhouses.
Can I grow it in a pot?: It grows very well in containers but will likely spread to nearby pots.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Oxalis comes from the Greek word for sour, referring to the acidic taste of the leaves. The species name corniculata refers to the horn shaped seed pods.

Good to know

It is often called creeping woodsorrel.
The leaves fold up at night or in low light.
It is a prolific self seeder that can become invasive in gardens.
The leaves have a pleasant lemony taste due to the oxalic acid.

Also in

Plants toxic to cats and dogs

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.