Oxalis perdicaria

RHS Plant Profile

Chilean wood sorrel

Synonyms

Oxalis mallobolba
Oxalis lobata

Alpine Rockery Bulbs Conservatory Greenhouse Houseplants

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A clump-forming, bulbous perennial with tuberous roots producing compact clusters of bright green, shamrock-like leaves. These appear in spring, then quickly die down, reappearing in late summer and autumn at the same time as the funnel-shaped, bright yellow flowers

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

Up to 10 cm

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: Up to 10 cm

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): H3

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Oxalidaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Clump forming
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: Chile

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, sown with moderate heat in late winter or early spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Houseplants
Patio and container plants
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