Oxalis, Purple & Black False Shamrock, Wood Sorrel 'Atropurpurea'
Oxalis triangularis subsp. papilionaceae
Family: | Oxalidaceae |
Genus: | Oxalis (oks-AL-iss) (Info) |
Species: | triangularis subsp. papilionaceae |
Cultivar: | Atropurpurea |

Category:
Perennials
Water Requirements:
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Sun Exposure:
Light Shade
Foliage:
Grown for foliage
Herbaceous
Foliage Color:
Burgundy/Maroon
Height:
6-12 in. (15-30 cm)
Spacing:
12-15 in. (30-38 cm)
Hardiness:
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Where to Grow:
Danger:
Pollen may cause allergic reaction
Bloom Color:
Pale Pink
Pink
Bloom Characteristics:
Bloom Size:
Bloom Time:
Late Spring/Early Summer
Other details:
Soil pH requirements:
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information:
Non-patented
Propagation Methods:
By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)
Seed Collecting:
N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed
Regional
This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:
Madison, Alabama
Ohatchee, Alabama
Smiths, Alabama
Wetumpka, Alabama
Mesa, Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona
Citrus Heights, California
Hayward, California
Hemet, California
La Mesa, California
Long Beach, California
Martinez, California
Merced, California
Oakland, California
Reseda, California
Roseville, California
Santa Clara, California
Silverado, California
Windsor, California
Alamosa, Colorado
Denver, Colorado
Fort Collins, Colorado
Parker, Colorado
Stamford, Connecticut
Dover, Delaware
Bartow, Florida
Clearwater, Florida
Daytona Beach, Florida
De Leon Springs, Florida
Dunedin, Florida
Hialeah, Florida
Hollywood, Florida
Jacksonville, Florida(2 reports)
Lake City, Florida
Lakeland, Florida(2 reports)
Lecanto, Florida
Nokomis, Florida
Ocala, Florida
Old Town, Florida
Oldsmar, Florida
Port Charlotte, Florida
Sarasota, Florida
Tallahassee, Florida
Tampa, Florida
West Palm Beach, Florida
Atlanta, Georgia
Middleton, Idaho
Canton, Illinois
Chicago, Illinois
New Castle, Indiana
Delaware, Iowa
Fairfield, Iowa
Inwood, Iowa
Barbourville, Kentucky
Mount Sterling, Kentucky
Houma, Louisiana
Marrero, Louisiana
Slidell, Louisiana
Zachary, Louisiana
Lewiston, Maine
Cumberland, Maryland
Fallston, Maryland
Parkville, Maryland
Pikesville, Maryland
Halifax, Massachusetts
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Natchez, Mississippi
Sullivan, Missouri
Howells, Nebraska
Verona, New Jersey
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Deposit, New York
Holland, New York
Charlotte, North Carolina
Ellenboro, North Carolina
Greensboro, North Carolina
Kure Beach, North Carolina
Lake Lure, North Carolina
Raleigh, North Carolina(2 reports)
Rowland, North Carolina
Cincinnati, Ohio
Duncan, Oklahoma
Edmond, Oklahoma
Jay, Oklahoma
Yukon, Oklahoma
Portland, Oregon
Norristown, Pennsylvania
Bluffton, South Carolina
Conway, South Carolina
Laurens, South Carolina
Prosperity, South Carolina
Summerville, South Carolina
Rapid City, South Dakota
Clarksville, Tennessee
Hixson, Tennessee
Lawrenceburg, Tennessee
Alice, Texas
Arlington, Texas
Austin, Texas
Bellaire, Texas
Belton, Texas
Blanket, Texas
Broaddus, Texas
Bulverde, Texas
College Station, Texas
Deer Park, Texas
Denton, Texas
Fort Worth, Texas
Gainesville, Texas
Geronimo, Texas
Grapevine, Texas
Haltom City, Texas
Houston, Texas
Irving, Texas
Jacksonville, Texas
Kyle, Texas
La Vernia, Texas
Liberty Hill, Texas
Mc Kinney, Texas
New Braunfels, Texas(2 reports)
Port Arthur, Texas
Richmond, Texas
Round Rock, Texas
Rowlett, Texas
Sugar Land, Texas
Boston, Virginia
Bellevue, Washington
Kalama, Washington
Puyallup, Washington
Seattle, Washington
Cabin Creek, West Virginia
South Milwaukee, Wisconsin
show allGardeners' Notes:
Rating | Content |
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Positive | On Nov 4, 2014, TweezersClorine from Limerick, I live in Northern Canada, so this plant will never become invasive - it cannot survive our winters outdoors. So, I plant it in pots and sink the pots into the ground and lift them or plant the bulbs right into the ground and dig them up in the fall. 3 years ago I decided to bring a pot into the house and not directly into a cold storage area, after it had died off with the first hard killing frost, and it started to grow..It has thrived ever since, so now in addition to having this beauty outside, its in my house and I love it! |
Positive | On May 7, 2014, bugsy4 from Howells, NE wrote: I live in north east NEBR. and have the plants on the north side of the house next to the foundation. Sometimes, I dig up the small corms in the fall, put them in the basement to keep dark and cool, then start them in 6 packs. Other times, I usually just let the frost get them in the fall, but they usually come back again when the ground warms up in the spring. They are prolific little dudes! And there usually are many corms. I haven't tried to transplant them--never had to do that; they have their own special place. |
Neutral | On Apr 21, 2014, BayAreaTropics from Hayward, CA wrote: I cant get it to do much more then survive with a few sprigs...then dies off in winter here warm or cold. Last year it waited until mid summer to send up a few leaves. |
Positive | On Apr 21, 2014, coriaceous from ROSLINDALE, MA wrote: This has been a great houseplant for me. If you forget to water, it will go dormant. When watered, it sends up new foliage. A very forgiving plant. Very low light requirement. |
Neutral | On Apr 21, 2014, ruprecht from Shreveport, LA (Zone 8a) wrote: I have tried growing this plant here in Louisiana a number of times, and of all those that I have planted only one has survived, and barely at that. On the other hand, the green oxalis that grows here (one variety with pink blossoms, the other with raspberry-colored ones), is so hardy and invasive that it completely covers the lawns of some homeowners, and it pops up everywhere, often in unwanted places, alas. It can easily be killed with herbicide, but when it grows in and around other desirable plants that is not feasible. The only alternative is to dig them out, but that is usually not a long-term solution, as they tend to come back from the numerous bulbs they propduce. I used to think it was pretty until it took over. Now, it is the bane of my gardening existence. I doubt that t... read more |
Negative | On Apr 21, 2014, VKB from ADELAIDE, I live in Adelaide, South Australia, which is hot and dry in summer, with reasonable winter rain. I was horrified when I saw this plant advocated as something people would actually try to grow. I spent at least 20 years trying to eradicate it from a long driveway where it never received water other than winter rain, and the soil was dry and poor. It was only dealt with when the driveway was dug out mechanically to replace the underground sewer pipes, and the top two feet of soil were removed. A pest plant in my, and most Australians', opinion. |
Positive | On Oct 26, 2013, Magic_Physicist from Port Ludlow, WA wrote: I have had mine for over 30 years (indoor) and it belonged to my great-grandmother back in the early 1960's here in NW Washington so it is over 50 years old now and it has never went dormant and I have it in a window on the NE side since it doesn't like heat or bright sunshine. |
Positive | On Jun 5, 2013, zanejr from Cabin Creek, WV (Zone 6b) wrote: I have both green and purple. A piece of my purple one sprouted in the flower bed and has returned the last 2 years. I planted a pot of them, and they did not return this year. I'm confused why one patch came back and one did not?????? I didn't think they were even hardy in zone 6. At any rate they are great plant and not invasive. |
Positive | On Sep 22, 2012, Latroon from Lake Forest Park, WA wrote: We live on 1.3 acres near Seattle. There is a lovely spread of Oxalis under some big evergreens on our property: it was there when we moved in 15 years ago. It is my absolutely favorite plant. I've transplanted it to other spots, and it does just okay in sunnier areas, but seems to love the shady hillside the most. |
Positive | On Sep 13, 2010, tvksi from Paris, TX (Zone 7b) wrote: Have had plant and it's babies about 15 years, gift from grandaughter for St Patrick's Day. Have under trees and does well even in the dry Texas heat, if given ample water. Have one in container outside that gets a lot of attention from neighbors. It is such a lovely compact ball with its pink accents of blossoms. I love it. It is not as invasive as I would like : ?) |
Positive | On Dec 13, 2009, holeth from Corpus Christi, TX (Zone 9a) wrote: Houseplant care: Keep moist. Drain after every watering. Slightly cover bulbs/corms with soil. Choose a deep enough pot for root growth. They like space to spread out & semi-shade/med light. Will go dormant if temp goes below 70F/22C. |
Negative | On Mar 3, 2009, S_Cumberland from MELBOURNE, Be very careful with this genus it can be extremely invasive out of its natural range.This is one of many herbs that should (in my opinion) be avoided, especially if it is not yet present in the location you wish to put it.What a super purple colour,if this were intentionally or accidentally hybridised with the more common Oxalis who knows what kind of superweed might result |
Positive | On Jan 15, 2009, dalmatian_fan87 from Cascade, VA (Zone 7a) wrote: for all of the invasiveness reasons as stated below, i prefer these as potted house plants, and they look GREAT when planted in a white pot. when their dormant period is due i just let their leaves die back and then put the bulbs in the refridgerator, NOT the freezer, is too cold in there! give them a couple of months and they are ready to grow again. |
Positive | On Nov 9, 2008, kudrick from Fallston, MD (Zone 6b) wrote: This plant has proved to be hardy in my zone (6b), with no special precautions! I planted some corms about 3 years ago and they come back just fine every year. |
Neutral | On Oct 9, 2008, barbiepauly from new zealand, i put this in the neutral category, because i myself do not hate this plant, just like i don't hate dandelions. they're very cheery & pretty! but i was blown away to see that it is treasured elsewhere in the world, & even experienced as fragile & hard to keep alive apparently. like oppossums in aussie! here in new zealand gardeners wage a never-ending war to eliminated oxalis from places we don't want it! but we never win, because when it's happy with it's conditions, it goes NUTS reproducing itself! all it takes is to miss One Little Bulb sifting through your spot you're trying to purify, and it's BACK with a vengeance in a short amount of time! it's considered such a total weed here, that to pick some & put it in a vase is akin to picking ragweed or thistles...kind of arty at best... read more |
Positive | On Oct 8, 2008, Marigold42 from Broken Arrow, OK wrote: For me and my Mom, when I was a kid, this was a plant that grew in the shady woods. There were two slightly different varieties and she called the one with pink flowers, Sheep Showers. This one she said we could eat. And we did, or at least I did...always raw. I'd pull the leaves and flowers off and eat them on the spot. Nice lemony tartness. |
Positive | On Oct 7, 2008, joy112854 from Crestview, FL wrote: I received this plant in bulbs from Richard Owens Nursery for buying other items, it was a freebee, and it grew like crazy. Mine have green four leaf clover leaves with purple on the inside, then a cute little pink flower came up from within, very pretty. I was given four bulbs and all four bloomed, I gave two away and kept two for myself; but they were not all purple like in the picture in this article, only in the inside of the leaf the outside was green which I think, looked really nice. |
Positive | On Oct 6, 2008, DaddyNature from Atlanta, GA wrote: First of all -- this is a fantastic and gorgeous plant! In Georgia, it grows all year round and flowers too! How many plants do that, huh?! Second, it is VERY invasive from seed. Third, it is interesting for the kiddies...it is sensitive to touch and will fold its leaves downward when touched by rain and other -- as it does in the evening. The beauty is the fact that, although it's invasive, it's worth the trouble for its hearty growth and cheerful visage. |
Positive | On Oct 6, 2008, arthurb3 from Raleigh, NC (Zone 7b) wrote: These a beautiful plants. They do die out in the hear of summer here in NC but come back in the fall once it cools. Unfortunatly, the voles love to eat them but part of the bulbs survive and come back as smaller plants. |
Positive | On Oct 6, 2008, Strazil from Seattle, WA wrote: After this oxalis had gotten leggy and it was long after St Patrick's Day, I planted it in the ground, under an old pieris japonica. That was three years ago, and it comes back every year, here in west Seattle. It has full shade, and does beautifully, though it hasn't spread like the Oregon wood sorrel in the nearby garden area. Does better outside than it did in my house! |
Positive | On Oct 6, 2008, bamajoy from Ohatchee, AL wrote: I live in Ohatchee, Alabama, about 60 miles west of Birmingham, Alabama. |
Neutral | On Oct 6, 2008, 4310 from College Station, TX wrote: I live in College Station, Texas, Zone 9, and tho' I don't have this exact plant, my garden spots are cursed with oxalis!!! They are indeed pretty little plants but so very invasive!!! Each spring and on into the summer, I try to dig the little bulbs but they produce many small bulblets which separate from the main bulb easily----------and then they're off and running to make more plants!!! They do "fade away" in the heat but come back with a vengeance in the fall.So just be sure you want it before you put it the ground. |
Positive | On Oct 6, 2008, Sue6060 from Holland, NY wrote: Here in Western New York state, I save the oxaxlis roots over winter in newspaper lined flats. Pull them from the garden, shake off most of the dirt, then let the clumps dry before storing. Stack up the flats on shelves in the garage or basement - as long as they don't freeze. Around mid-March, I break up the clumps and set the roots in fresh potting soil. Line an empty flat with landscape fabric that overlaps the edge of the flat by a couple inches, add a couple inches of soil then the roots and cover with more soil. Water the flats and set them under lights. When danger of frost is past, slip the plants out of the flat - using the landscape fabric to pull them out -into a prepared area a little larger than the flat and then backfill with garden soil. I leave the landscape fabric right in... read more |
Positive | On Oct 6, 2008, gizmo06 from Port Jervis, NY wrote: I was given this plant last fall as a gift and since have divided the rhizomes several times. I have it in a sunny window and it does beautifully. Ive noticed that it needs a roomy pot to grow because when I choose smaller pots the plants did' nt fair as well.It likes alot of water, Also like a previous DGer wrote noticed when I gave it fertalizer I thought I killed it but I kept watering it and it sprung back to life. I love this plant and have put it all over in my gardens I dont know how it will make out this winter but I'm looking forward to next year after reading all the success stories. |
Positive | On Aug 4, 2008, vossner from East Texas, I grow in pots for fear of it taking over my garden. As beautiful as it is, I don't want it everywhere. Definitely needs shade but even in shade, it tends to fade a little bit in the summer. Coloring in spring and fall is spectacular. Easy to propagate by division. |
Positive | On Apr 13, 2008, ChicagoKathy from Chicago, IL wrote: On the south side of Chicago, the area grocery stores sell these right around the time of the South Side Irish Parade in March. I got the purple triangularis one and also a green one, oxalis acetosella that has white flowers. Not sure if it's true, but someone told me that this plant naturally goes dormant for a month after about 3 months looking good. You are supposed to just leave it alone while it looks dead for 4 weeks then it suddenly comes back to life. I have mine in diluted light and every morning, there it is all puffed up and beautiful ready to start my day. Every night when I come home from work there it is, sleeping with the leaves all collapsed and snuggled. |
Positive | On Feb 18, 2008, Malus2006 from Coon Rapids, MN (Zone 4a) wrote: A very nice plant for a shade pot - give a contract to other green foliage shade plants - the purples stay very well even in woodland shade. Storage the bulbs during winter and then replant them. |
Positive | On Jun 22, 2007, digigirl from Sugar Land, TX (Zone 9a) wrote: This has grown well for me, even in my heavy clay soil. However, it definitely needs a little shade in our hot Texas weather. I have it running along a border that is mostly filtered shade, but one end is full sun. Everywhere else in the border is thriving, but the full sun spot is looking pretty sparse. I will be putting something else there, but love the rest of the border with my purple shamrocks! |
Neutral | On Mar 12, 2007, berrygirl from Braselton, GA (Zone 8a) wrote: Brent & Becky's lists this plant as regenellii var. triangularis "Mijke'. |
Positive | On Nov 6, 2006, growth_is_good from Liberty Hill, TX wrote: I purchased this from Farmer's Nursery in Leander TX in 2004 and have watched it survive everything. I moved the bulk of the plant from planter beds to herb box area and still see some growing in the original spots. The bumpy little nodules it produces, will root easily to form other plants. I still refer to it as Red or Purple Clover, or Oxalis. Tolerates heat, cold, dry and sandy soil. |
Positive | On Jun 8, 2005, darylmitchell from Saskatoon, SK (Zone 3a) wrote: The first time I planted this, it was in a hanging basket with some morning glory vines. Neither liked the full sun or windy location. The morning glories died within days, and the Oxalis started to lose its purple colour and revert to green. Despite some dieback, it survived and I surrounded it with some supertunias which shielded it from the sun and wind. Once fertilized, it really took off and flowered. |
Positive | On Mar 27, 2005, twiggybuds from Moss Point, MS (Zone 8b) wrote: This plant tries hard to make it anywhere. I have it scattered around in sun, shade, bright window and it always thrives. Very easy and pretty. |
Positive | On Mar 26, 2005, Gerris2 from Wilmington, DE (Zone 7a) wrote: I got my plant a couple years ago in a trade and it has been a solid citizen in my garden. I grow it in a container in the bald open sun in my Delawarean garden, and it just keeps sending up those glorious pastel flowers and purple leaves all summer long. I have to overwinter it indoors, but it doesn't sulk one bit, just keep it out of drafts and in a well-lit area. |
Positive | On Nov 9, 2004, norska from Ellicott City, MD (Zone 7a) wrote: I originally bought these as a houseplant several years ago. It would continuously send up new leaves, and flower every few months. I kept it near a bright window, and only added houseplant fertilizer once in a while. The leaves and flowers wilt and fade, so there is a little cleanup required to keep it tidy. The only other care I gave it, besides water, was to rotate the pot, as the leaves will lean towards the light. It performed nonstop for at least 5 years, before the bulbs started to die off, one by one. Very fun plant to add a little different color in the houseplant collection. |
Neutral | On Oct 7, 2004, lbonin from Kyle, TX wrote: I am curious about propagation of this plant. I generally propagate this plant by splitting the rhizomes but have noticed lately that a lone plant will sprout 6-8 feet away from a bed of these plants. There is no evidence of any other oxalis between the bed and the sprout. How does it travel this relatively great distance? It is a beautiful and forgiving plant I have had almost 15 years now, splitting and sharing every opportunity that arises. Especially beautiful when mixed with the all green oxalis/white flower. |
Positive | On Aug 22, 2004, henryr10 from Cincinnati, OH (Zone 6b) wrote: For those of you 'zone challenged' gardeners it |
Positive | On Oct 8, 2003, wnstarr from Puyallup, WA (Zone 5a) wrote: For several years had this plant and babied it in the greenhouse in the winter here in Washington state. Two years ago I planted it into the garden, and it has done fantastically well. It is under the shade of the Japanese banana (Musa basjoo) and companion to the Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra.) It makes for a great color combination. It receives only limited filtered sun and excellent drainage. Another "houseplant" that has happily made the transistion to the garden. Give it a try, it's tougher than you think. |
Positive | On Aug 12, 2003, htop from San Antonio, TX (Zone 8b) wrote: San Antonio, Texas |
Positive | On Jul 20, 2003, suncatcheracres from Old Town, FL wrote: I grew this plant in Newnan, Georgia, (zone 7b) about 40 miles SW of Atlanta, in the ground under dappled shade for four years. I found two small plants growing as volunteers in another plant I had bought at a local nursery, and once transplanted and established in the ground they grew very happily at either side of a garden gate at the entrance to a wood, paired with "Variegated Liriope" (Lirope muscari 'Variegata') for contrast. The plants came up every year, surviving 6°F degree winter temperatures, and snow on the ground for several days. |
Positive | On Jul 19, 2003, hashenk from New Braunfels, TX (Zone 8b) wrote: I bought this plant a couple of years ago in the early spring. After the summer began the plant burned off completely, I thought that it had died, I hung on to the pot and in the late fall I began seeing new plants coming up. It came and went for probably about a year, never really doing much, but this spring I moved it to the north east side of my house and it went crazy! We are now into the later part of July (getting into 100°F degree weather daily) and the thing is blooming like mad and putting on new leaves everyday. |
Positive | On May 27, 2003, tyro wrote: I received my plant as a gift in a pot around 1997. It did not do well in the pot under my patio cover (USDA Zone 7), so I moved it into the yard where it thrived in dappled shade. I didn't really know what I had, so what I've learned has been from trial and error. I found that it could very easily release the bloom and leaf stems if disturbed by even the lightest water force or by digging to separate. It would quickly recover, however, and be blooming again shortly. |
Positive | On May 23, 2003, lizzyanthus from Massena, NY (Zone 4b) wrote: This is also one of my favorite plants. I received mine from a friend who transplanted hers and got so many that she was able to share. I kept it in a southern exposured window and it did extremely well. |
Positive | On Mar 27, 2003, tommcf from Buchanan, NY wrote: This is one of my favorite plants. I acquired a pot full of this plant in 1995 from a plant laboratory in a college I was attending at the time. They were doing research into the life cycle and behavior of the plant (flowering and the opening and closing of the leaves). I was told that the proper scientific name of the plant was Oxalis triangulasar, although I could be getting that confused with a more common wood sorrel species in this area (New York, U.S.) |
Positive | On Jun 18, 2002, dian_tt wrote: The purple leaves can last for weeks in water as long as you immerse them as soon as they are cut. |
Positive | On May 15, 2002, Dayabay wrote: I've been growing this since 1995. I dug it out of a garden in Hong Kong, moved it to China, and then moved it to England. It loves light, water and fertilizer. It flowers almost all year in warmer climates, and indoors in the winter. |