Pocket BotanistPlant guide
Purple Shamrock.
Oxalis triangularis
Pronounced OK-suh-lis try-ANG-gyoo-luh-ris
Also known as Wood Sorrel, false shamrock, purple shamrock
The Purple Shamrock is a charming, low-growing plant known for its unique, triangular, deep purple leaves that fold up at night and open again in the morning. It's a popular choice for adding a splash of color to windowsills and terrariums.
At a glance
- Care level
- Easy
- Plant type
- Perennial herb
- Light
- Partial Shade
- Indoor light
- bright-indirect
- Water
- Every 3 to 7 days
- Mature size
- Height: 6-12 inches, Spread: 6-12 inches
- Growth rate
- medium
- Hardiness
- USDA 8 to 11
- Bloom time
- Late spring to early autumn
Care
Provide bright, indirect light and keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root rot. The plant naturally goes through a dormant period where you can reduce watering significantly.
- Watering
- Water when the top inch of soil feels dry; reduce watering during dormancy.
- Feeding
- Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted by half every 2 months during the growing season.
- Pruning
- Remove any dead or yellowing leaves to maintain appearance and health.
- Repotting
- Repot when the plant becomes root-bound, typically every 1-2 years.
- Soil
- Well-draining potting mix
- Soil pH
- Slightly acidic to neutral (5.5-7.0)
- Temperature
- 15 to 24°C
- Humidity
- 40 to 60%
Safety
- Pets
- Can be mildly toxic to pets if ingested in large quantities due to oxalic acid.
How to identify it
- Triangular, trifoliate leaves
- Deep purple to bronze coloration
- Leaves fold at night
- Small, delicate flowers
- Rhizomatous growth habit
- Height
- 0.15 to 0.3m
- Spread
- 0.15 to 0.3m
- Leaves
- Purple, Burgundy, Green (in some varieties), semi-evergreen
- Flowers
- Pink, White, 1 to 2cm
Growing it
- Propagation
- Division, Cuttings
- When to plant
- Spring, Summer
Science
- Family
- Oxalidaceae
- Genus
- Oxalis
- Order
- Oxalidales
- Class
- Magnoliopsida
Through the year
Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.
Is your purple shamrock looking unwell?
This page is a general guide. Pocket Botanist diagnoses problems from a photo of your actual plant, works out watering for your light and conditions, and reminds you when care is due.
This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.