Shamrocks - Growing Oxalis

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The History and Origins of the Shamrock

This article is about growing shamrocks indoors. If you are interested in information about the hardy shamrocks, see my Oxalis and Shamrock Links at the bottom of this page.

The shamrocks available in grocery stores and florist shops around St. Patrick's day are Oxalis acetosella (The under six-inch tall green types), which are from Europe, Iceland and Asia, and the six- to 10-inch tall green and purple types, which are frost tender. In many area there is also The Bermuda Buttercup (Oxalis purpurea).

Shamrocks are very often gifts, and impulse purchases at this time of year. They are very easy to grow, but have a few requirements that will ensure their success. They like cool air, moist soil (while they are growing) and a bright location. No matter what you do, they will at times look very ill and lose leaves. When this happens, they are tired, so let them sleep. They are bulbs and will require a dormant period every once in a while. Restrict all watering. All the leaves will dry up, and it will be easy at this point to clear them up. As with any bulb, let the leaves die back naturally. Don't pull off the leaves until they are brown.

With the tall, purple types, let them rest for three or four weeks, then water and fertilize. Any houseplant fertilizer will do. They are not terribly fussy. Hopefully, the shamrock will reward your patience with leaves and perhaps flowers. In most indoor-grown shamrocks, this dormant period occurs twice or three times a year.

The shorter, pure green types need to stay dormant for about three months if they are to grow to their full potential. During the dormant period, they should be placed on a chilly windowsill or other brightly lit, cool, yet frost-free place.

Shamrocks are bulbs, and they are planted very close to the surface. If you want to divide your shamrocks, the key is to wait until the bulbs are at the end of a dormant cycle. Take them out of the pot, and remove small side-bulbs. Replant these just under the surface of the soil in good, slightly sandy houseplant soil, place in a non south-facing window, and water. Keep surface slightly moist until