PlantFiles: Pink Wood Sorrel
Oxalis articulata f. crassipes

Hate...hate...hate this plant! Once the corm gets started, you cannot get rid of it. Some corms of this little plant came hidden in pine straw we used for mulch and thus the plant got started among our gardens. We were able to eradicate it with significant labor in the accessible areas, but it worked it's way into the liriope and refuses to leave. Over a year later, we've tried anything and everything to get rid of it! We tried digging up each clump of oxalis/sorrel, and when that didn't work, we tried digging up larger clumps of liriope. Those *@#* pink flowers just keep coming back... and bringing more little friends along with them each time they reappear!!! This stuff even survived Round Up applied directly to it with Q-tips (though the surrounding liriope did not faire so well!). Be sure you really love it before putting this plant in your garden, because you will be stuck with it forever.

When I lived in California (95688) we raised them for more than fifty years. We had pale pink, dark pink ('old rose'), and white. I understand there is now a 'double' white form.

In our climate then they could, in good soil and location, reach 12-16 inches in height and were shaped like an inverted bowl. In the mild, summer dry California climate they grew fall-spring and were dormant during summer droughts. Never had any problems from them. Never any disease or insects either. Wonderful plant for a half-shaded border.

My family has cherished this plant as a border for 50+ years. It is the perfect border plant in that it grows in almost any conditions, is not at all a "garden bully" and best of all it blooms off and on all the time. It is January 10 here today in zone 7b with nighttime freezing temps and I found blooms on some of the plants just now. Considering how delicate this plant looks, that is amazing.

Agree with the others that this is a wonderful old-fashioned little passalong plant and just wanted to add that it's green most of the year here in mid-zone 7, certainly to hard winter, and in spring is a very useful green companion for early bulbs. Also confirming, it is a gentle spreader and not at all invasive (as some other oxalises most definitely are).

This pretty pink flowered charmer grows well in thick clay soils, rocky limestone soils, and even tolerates an alkaline pH. It tolerates drought and cold by going dormant. A great groundcover for shady spots. It also does well in containers, though it needs a bit more water that way. The flowers are nearly 1" across, which is big for an Oxalis.

Zone 9, South.
This shy little sweetie appears in early spring in the most unexpected places. Where ever it does show up, it's always welcome. It's not aggressive or weedy at all. The darling flowers appear continuously.

When temps start to rise (high 80's F) the entire plant dies back to the ground. It re-appears in autumn, as soon as the temps start to drop. Here, the plants will persist in blooming until a hard freeze causes it to die back.

It does equally well in full sun or dense shade. Those in full sun die back quicker in summer, appear earlier in spring. They don't seem to mind periods of either drought or flood, tho they will droop during long periods of drought, if growing in a container. A quick hit with the hose perks it right up.

This is a darling little plant to grow at the base of taller perennials that don't make a show until summer. They require no special attention and seem to enjoy whatever treatment the plants around them get.

Oxalis grew in my parents' garden in West Sussex UK and has been growing 25 years in my garden nearby. Has survived temperatures down to -10°F. Survives drought quite well, but sometimes develops rust in dry weather. Flowers for weeks and, here in the UK, I get a second flowering if I cut off dead flowers, including the stems. It is a very pretty border plant which I wouldn't be without.

One of my favorite perennials. Durable and carefree. Dies back in heat and drought but responds quickly. Flowers close up in rain and cool weather.

This pass-along plant is very different from the true Sorrel (Rumex), but it shares a pleasant, mustard-like flavor in its edible leaves. (As its name implies, Oxalis crassipes contains oxalic acid; its flavor is not as mild as true Sorrel.)


Its bright pink flowers are cheerful in spring through early summer; in a protected spot, a second blooming in fall is common. It has finely divided leaves, similar to clover. The name translates as "thick foot" referring to the tuberous roots of this species. The thick, starchy roots make the plant particularly drought-tolerant.