if you are wondering which flowering plant you should grow indoors, then why not False Shamrock? It looks fabulous when grown in hanging baskets. In this article, learn how to grow False Shamrock Indoors?
The plant has a beautiful appearance with three leaflets. The color of the leaves ranges from green to purple. If you provide little care and just the right conditions to the False Shamrock Plant, it will grow out as a beautiful one.
What is a False Shamrock?
Oxalis refers to the genus of over 850 plants of the wood sorrel family. Their three-lobed leaves resemble those of clovers hence the common name.
False shamrocks are delicate plants that grow well in hanging baskets. They have triangular leaves that range from green to purple in color.
One unique and mesmerizing characteristic of the plant is it closes its leaves like an umbrella at night and reopens again in the morning.
Propagation of False Shamrock
The botanical name of this plant is Oxalis and it belongs to the Oxalidaceae family. The other name of the shamrock plant is Black oxalis, Purple Shamrock, False Shamrock, Love Plant, Wood Sorrel, and Oxalis.
This plant has ability to enhance the beauty of the indoor multiple times due to its delicate flowers and lavishing leaves. It is a kind of plant that can fill a pot easily.
Mainly the False shamrock grows from 0.5 to 1 Feet in Height and 1-2 feet wide. They can be easily propagated by these following method.
From Division
Division would assist you when you have overcrowded shamrock plant. Now follow the steps to so you will succeed in growing false shamrock plant in your container.
First, gently dig up the plant from which you want to propagate other plant. Use sterile scissors to cut the root balls into half or more pieces.
second, take the container or pot in which you want to grow your false shamrock plant. Before planting in the container, make sure that there is a drainage hole at the bottom of the container. Also, if you are using old pot, make sure to wash it so that any insects present inside can be spilled out.
third, Fill your container with high-quality potting mix. However try to avoid garden soil to plant fasle shamrock. for more nutrition to the plant you can add fertilizers to the soil.
Finally, plant the new section cutted out from the original plant of shamrock in the soil filled in the container or pot. Give water to the plant so that it can adjust in the environment.
From Bulbs
another method for propagation of false shamrock is from bulbs.
the best time to plant bulbs of shamrock plant is during the season of spring. Plant the bulbs with 3-4 inches of gap between each other if planting in a container or pot. Again use high-quality potting mix to propagate false shamrock. After planting the bulbs, moist the soil by giving water.
Now, place the plant in warm and bright area so that the bulbs can grow faster. Within 3-4 week the growth of the plant become noticeable.
How to Care for Oxalis Plants
Light and Water
Light and Water. Shamrock is among the easiest houseplants to grow. If you like the delicate flowers, they won’t be seen during the winter because of low light levels outdoors.
Generally, the plant will need bright to moderate light throughout the year and it’s happiest in an artificial fluorescent light, so it can be put outside during summer.
The most common type of Oxalis (Oxalis spp) grows best in full sunlight and moderate to high temperatures. Plants require constant moisture.
The roots also easily get damaged when using tap water, especially when using a large pot. To prevent this, you should only use a small amount of tap water and use it infrequently.
Temperature and Humidity
This year the temperature is very high and it is very dry. False shamrocks will not grow well this year, but they will survive most indoor temperatures, except during the extreme weathers of winter and summer. You can move them to a cool spot during the winter or take them outside during the summer.
Oxalis can be easily potted. It should be kept in well-drained, not too shaded conditions. To help normalize the humidity around a potted oxalis, it can be placed on a wet pebble tray or misted in the morning and in the afternoon.
True shamrocks can grow anywhere between 2-3 feet tall, as long as they are watered and fertilized regularly. Unlike most flowers, shamrocks don’t require bright light in order to bloom, as they are self-sufficient.
Hot temperatures and high humidity can slow down the flowering of the plant, so if you have trouble getting it to flower, place it on a wet tray or mist it in the morning and in the afternoon.
Pests and Disease
The first thing you need to do if you find yourself infested by pests is to get rid of the pests. The next thing to do is to make sure that you clean and disinfect your plants regularly using 70% isopropyl alcohol diluted in water.
When it comes to possible pests on your indoor Purple Shamrock, the two biggest threats are spider mites and mealybugs. In severe cases of infestation and if left untreated, both pests can kill your Purple Shamrock plant, as well as spread to your other houseplants, so quick treatment is advised
If the plants are not doing well, removing the leaves and planting them in a new pot can help. Oxalis is a hardy plant so removing all the leaves is fine and the underground parts can be replanted.
This will bloom again within a month.
Dormacy Period
Top Oxalis Varieties for Indoor Use
Fanny
Fanny is one of the most classic-looking Oxalis. It was made popular by its green leaves with silver margins, which provide an inviting contrast to its light purple flowers.
Silver shamrock (O. adenophylla)
The silver shamrock (O. adenophylla) has beautiful, pleated leaves. Its silvery gray color makes it stand out from other plants that have green or blue-green leaves.
Iron Cross (O. tetraphylla)
The Iron Cross (O. tetraphylla) is a pretty little plant that bears a cluster of small, 4 heart-shaped, green leaves with a deep purple center. The flowers are pinkish and have a yellow center.
Molten Lava (O. vulcanicola)
When placed in a shaded area, the leaves of this oxalis are chartreuse, but if placed under bright light, they turn into rich orange and are complemented by the bright yellow delicate flowers.
Zinfandel
How Can I Propagate New Oxalis Triangularis Plants?
While the purple shamrock is dormant in fall and winter, gently remove it from its container, and separate the bulbs. Plant the bulbs in a new container, ensuring the container has bottom drainage and into a well-drained soil.
Space several bulbs several inches apart, and plant each bulb about 1.5 inches deep in the soil.