Also known as Wood Sorrel · 62 gardener saves
Oxalis: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Oxalis, the genus most gardeners know as wood sorrel. We track 18 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 12 most-saved Oxalis varieties
Of 18 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedOxalis Lasiandra
Oxalis lasiandra
#2 most savedTriangular Oxalis Purple Shamrock
Oxalis triangularis
#3 most savedFalse Shamrock
Oxalis triangularis 'Fanny'
Purple Shamrock
Oxalis stricta 'Plum Crazy'
Purple Shamrock
Oxalis triangularis 'Burgundy'
Lobed Wood Sorrel
Oxalis lobata
Mijke Oxalis
Oxalis triangularis 'Mijke'
Purple Shamrock
Oxalis triangularis 'papilionacea'
Golden Oxalis Yellow Wood Sorrel
Oxalis spiralis 'aurea'
Iron Cross Plant
Oxalis deppei 'Iron Cross Reversed'
Purple Shamrock
Oxalis triangularis 'Atropurpurea'
Brazilian Wood Sorrel
Oxalis braziliensis
Browse all 18 Oxalis varieties →
How to grow Oxalis
What the Oxalis varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 18 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Oxalis year
- PlantMarch and April89% of varieties
Plant bulbils 1-2 inches deep after the danger of hard frost has passed
- FertilizeApril–July89% of varieties
Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer twice during the active growing season
- DivideMarch67% of varieties
Divide overcrowded clumps every 3-4 years in early spring
- Winter PrepOctober and November50% of varieties
Apply a thick layer of mulch for winter protection in the ground
Do
- Water regularly to keep soil moist 🌱
- Mulch to conserve moisture
- Provide partial shade in hot climates
- Water regularly during dry periods 🌱
- Divide in early spring to promote healthy growth
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Avoid overwatering to prevent bulb rot ❌
- Don’t expose to full sun in hot climates
- Overwater to avoid soggy roots ❌
What goes wrong with Oxalis
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Spray with insecticidal soap |
| Spider mites | Fine webbing on foliage | Use neem oil or insecticidal soap |
| Fungal Root Rot | Wilting and browning roots | Reduce watering and improve drainage |
| Root rot | Wilting and browning of foliage | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
| Root rot | Mushy roots and wilting | Improve drainage and reduce watering frequency |
| Root Rot | Wilting and browning roots | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
| Leaf Spot | Dark spots on leaves | Remove affected foliage and improve air circulation |
Making more Oxalis
Division
- Dig up mature plants in early spring
- Separate clumps with clean, sharp knife
- Plant divisions immediately into prepared soil
- Water thoroughly after planting
Seeds
- Sow seeds on moist soil surface in early spring.
- Keep soil consistently moist for germination over 2-3 weeks.
- Thin seedlings to proper spacing after emergence.
Oxalis questions
How many types of Oxalis are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 18 distinct Oxalis varieties. The most popular — ranked by 62 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Oxalis grow in?
Across its varieties, Oxalis covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Oxalis bloom?
Most Oxalis varieties bloom in early spring, late spring, late spring to summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Oxalis should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Design with Oxalis in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
