Oxalis Plant Care: The Most Dramatic Little Plant You’ll Ever Love
Imagine a houseplant that folds up at night, shows off a deep royal purple all day, and looks like a clover with attitude. That’s Oxalis triangularis — possibly the most extra plant per square inch of foliage.
It’s compact, colorful, and full of weird little quirks (like taking naps??), but it’s also surprisingly easy to care for — once you stop panicking every time it folds its leaves.
Let’s dive into how to keep this purple drama queen alive, thriving, and stealing the spotlight on your windowsill.
What Makes Oxalis So Extra (In the Best Way)
- Bright purple, triangular leaves that fold up at night like they’re shy
- Produces tiny pale pink or white flowers that look delicate but bloom constantly
- Super easy to grow from bulbs
- Will absolutely play dead if it’s unhappy (and then come back out of nowhere)
It’s weird. It’s beautiful. It’s low-key magical.
Light: Bright and Indirect, Please
Oxalis wants light — not scorch-your-retina sun, but the good kind.
- Best in bright, indirect light
- Can handle a bit of morning sun
- Avoid harsh afternoon rays (crispy leaf tips are not cute)
Too little light = pale color and leggy growth.
Too much = sunburn. Give it a cozy spot near a window with filtered light and you’re golden.
Watering: Keep It Consistent (But Chill)
This plant likes a routine. You don’t have to baby it, but you do have to pay attention.
- Water when the top inch of soil feels dry
- Don’t let it stay soggy — root rot is a real thing here
- Less water in winter or dormancy
Signs it needs water: drooping leaves.
Signs it’s overwatered: yellowing leaves, mushy bulbs. Don’t do that.
Soil and Potting: Light and Draining
Oxalis grows from bulbs, so they hate sitting in heavy, wet soil.
Use:
- Well-draining potting mix (regular indoor mix + perlite works great)
- A pot with drainage holes (as always)
- Keep the bulbs near the surface when planting — they don’t want to be buried deep
You don’t need a giant pot — they like things cozy.
It Sleeps. Don’t Freak Out.
Here’s where people usually panic: Oxalis goes dormant.
Yes, really. Every few months (usually in summer or winter), it might:
- Collapse
- Drop leaves
- Look like it’s 100% dead
But plot twist: it’s not. It’s just taking a break.
What to do:
- Stop watering
- Let it rest for a few weeks in a cool, dry spot
- Once new growth appears? Start watering again
Like a phoenix. But make it purple and leafy.
Fertilizer: Just a Light Snack
This isn’t a heavy feeder, but it appreciates a little something now and then.
- Feed once a month in spring and summer
- Use a balanced liquid fertilizer, diluted
- No feeding during dormancy or winter
Too much fertilizer = salty soil = grumpy Oxalis. Don’t overdo it.
Propagation: Easy as Pie
Want more of this purple magic? You got it.
- Dig up the bulbs (carefully)
- Separate them and replant in fresh soil
- Water lightly, give them light, and wait
They multiply fast — it’s kind of addictive.
Pests & Problems
Pests:
Not super common, but watch for aphids, spider mites, or fungus gnats. Treat with neem oil or insecticidal soap if needed.
Yellow leaves?
Too much water or not enough light.
Suddenly collapsed?
Probably dormancy. Give it a few weeks.
Final Thoughts
Oxalis is weird, dramatic, and absolutely worth it. If you want a plant that looks like a purple butterfly colony had a party in a pot, this is the one.
Just give it bright light, occasional water, and some space to nap when it feels like it. In return? You get nonstop color, movement, and a plant with serious personality.
