Oxalis vulcanicola

RHS Plant Profile
volcanic sorrel

Save a plant

Where do you want to save Oxalis vulcanicola?

Plants I own
Wishlist
Go to My Plants
volcanic sorrel RHS

Synonyms

Oxalis hedysaroides misapplied, Oxalis siliquosa hort., Oxalis spiralis subsp. vulcanicola

Alpine Rockery Bulbs Conservatory Greenhouse Houseplants
Buy this from Plant Nurseries
2 Suppliers

A species of spreading, bulbous deciduous perennial with fleshy stems and striking trilobe green foliage which turns purple-pink when exposed to sunlight. Small, star-shaped yellow flowers appear on wiry purple stems from Summer through until the Autumn. The plant rotates its foliage to follow the sun, and the leaves can often be seen 'quivering' as they close up in the evening

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H2

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Oxalidaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Spreading branched, Trailing
Genus
Oxalis can be annuals or perennials, with fibrous, bulbous or rhizomatous rootstocks, palmately divided leaves and funnel-shaped or bowl-shaped flowers that mostly close in dull weather and at night
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Mexico to Panama

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in well-drained, humus-rich soil in full sun in a sheltered position, or in an alpine house in a mixture of equal parts loam, leaf mould and grit

Propagation

Propagate by seed or division

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Houseplants
  • Patio and container plants
  • Rock garden
  • Sub-tropical
  • Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs, snails and vine weevil larvae

Diseases

May be susceptible to a rust