Oxalis tetraphylla

RHS Plant Profile

lucky clover

Other common names

four-leaved pink sorrel, good luck leaf, good luck plant

Synonyms

Oxalis deppei

Bulbs Alpine Rockery

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A clump-forming bulbous perennial up to 10cm in height when in flower, with clover-like green leaves and a dark brown band towards the base of each heart-shaped leaflet. Bright pink funnel-shaped flowers appear from spring to early autumn

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Sand, Loam

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

Sand Loam

Moisture: Well–drained or Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: East–facing or South–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): H4

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, Matforming
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

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in well-drained, nutrient poor 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

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Houseplants
Hanging Basket
Patio and container plants
Rock garden
Banks and slopes
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and snails outdoors

Diseases

May be susceptible to rust diseases