When September rolls around and the air starts to cool, it’s the perfect time to start your fall garden. Among the many flowers that thrive when planted in autumn — like nasturtiums and columbines — Oxalis (commonly known as False Shamrock) stands out as a true crowd favorite.
Why? It's low maintenance, comes in a dazzling array of colors, blooms prolifically, and even rewards you with harvestable bulbs for the next season. Whether you garden on a balcony or have a full backyard, Oxalis is a charming and rewarding choice.
🪴 What Type of Oxalis Should You Grow?
There are three main growing seasons for Oxalis:
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Spring-growing types (like wild pink/yellow varieties)
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Fall-growing varieties (ideal for planting now!)
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Year-round growers (like the popular purple-leaf variety)
For fall planting, the top choices are decorative garden varieties such as:
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OB Oxalis (Dull-leaf Oxalis): The most prolific, warm-toned, late-blooming type with huge flowers.
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Early-blooming varieties (like pancake-shaped leaves): Smaller blooms, but they flower earlier.
Want blooms all season long? Mix both early and late bloomers for continuous color from autumn to spring.
🪴 Pot & Soil Setup
Oxalis prefers small pots (4–6 inches wide and deep), especially square pots that maximize space and create a mini flower field effect when placed side-by-side.
As for soil, avoid heavy garden soil — it tends to hold moisture and can rot the bulbs. Instead, use a loose, airy mix:
- 2 parts peat or coco coir
- 1 part vermiculite
- 2 parts perlite
Add slow-release fertilizer granules to enrich the soil and support the growing season.
🌱 When & How to Plant
The best time to plant is when daytime temps drop below 78°F (26°C). Some bulbs may sprout naturally in the air before planting — this is your signal to pot them up.
Here’s how:
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Pre-moisten the soil (it should be slightly damp, not wet).
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Layer the pot: gravel (for drainage) → soil → slow-release fertilizer → topsoil.
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Place the bulbs sprout-side up (or sideways if unsure) and cover with 0.5–1 inch of soil.
- Leave room at the top to add more soil later as seedlings grow.
💡 Pro tip: Use plant markers to label your varieties — once they start blooming, it’s easy to lose track!
💧 Sunlight, Watering & Feeding
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No watering right after planting — wait until the surface dries, then gently mist or water.
- Once sprouted, increase light gradually to full sun exposure (6+ hrs/day).
- Rotate pots if growing on a windowsill to avoid leggy, lopsided growth.
- Water only when the pot feels light or soil is dry — avoid soggy roots!
Fertilizer schedule:
- Grow phase: Water with a balanced fertilizer (like 10-10-10) every 10 days.
- Pre-flowering: Switch to a bloom booster formula.
- Post-bloom: Stop fertilizing and allow the plant to wind down.
❄️ Winter Care Tips
- Oxalis loves cool weather (59–68°F / 15–20°C), but avoid frost!
- If you live in a cold zone, bring pots indoors in late fall.
- Keep near a sunny window, away from heat vents or fireplaces.
- They will continue blooming indoors beautifully through winter.
🌸 Harvesting the Bulbs
By late April or May, your Oxalis will begin to yellow and fade — this is a sign it's entering dormancy. Here’s what to do:
- Wait until all leaves are fully dry.
- Remove the bulb from the pot and separate the newly formed ones.
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Label and store in zip bags or dry jars in a cool, dark place.
You’ll be amazed how many bulbs a single plant can multiply into — by next season, you’ll be sharing Oxalis like a pro!
🛒 Ready to Grow Your Own?
Oxalis is a dream flower for beginners and collectors alike — colorful, long-blooming, easy to grow, and rewarding.
🌼 Start with just a few bulbs — and turn your windowsill, patio, or garden into a blooming paradise.
👉 Shop Oxalis Bulbs Now
