How to Plant Oxalis (Shamrock)

Plant oxalis bulbs in spring, 1–2 inches deep and 3–4 inches apart, in bright light. Grow them outdoors in zones 8–11, or as a houseplant anywhere.

How to Plant Oxalis (Shamrock)
When to plant
Spring, after frost for garden planting; pot up indoors in spring
Depth
1–2 inches, pointed end up
Spacing
3–4 inches apart
Sun
Bright, indirect light indoors; part sun outdoors, out of hot afternoon sun
Water
Evenly moist while growing; let the surface dry slightly between waterings
Soil
Loamy, well-drained potting mix or garden soil

Step by step

  1. Choose a pot with a drainage hole and a loamy, well-drained potting mix, or a garden spot with part sun and good drainage.
  2. Plant the bulbs 1–2 inches deep with the pointed end up.
  3. Space them 3–4 inches apart. In a pot, a close planting gives a fuller mound.
  4. Water lightly to settle the soil, then keep it evenly moist but never soggy.
  5. Indoors, set the pot by an east- or west-facing window and turn it now and then so the plant grows evenly.
  6. Once growth is well underway, feed every 3–4 weeks with a balanced houseplant fertilizer at half strength.

After bloom

Snip off spent flowers to keep new ones coming. At some point, often after a long flowering spell or in heat, the leaves yellow and collapse. That's dormancy, not death. Cut back on water, stop feeding and move the pot somewhere cool. New shoots appear after a few weeks to a few months; then return to normal watering and bright light. This cycle repeats every year.
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