If you love colorful butterfly-shaped foliage, Oxalis is the way to go! Here are the Reasons Every Home Needs Purple Shamrock.
Purple shamrock (Oxalis triangularis) has striking, deep purple leaves shaped like winged butterflies! It lends oodles of color and charisma to any living space! Here are the many attractive reasons why every home needs a purple shamrock.
Reasons Every Home Needs a Purple Shamrock
1. Low Maintenance
Even for those with a brown thumb, the purple shamrock is an easy plant to care for. It thrives in indirect sunlight but can also tolerate partial shade. The watering part is simple—allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings, and it can forgive some neglect!
2. Eye-Catching Foliage
Also known as the Oxalis or Butterfly plant, this unique species has trifoliate leaves that appear in shades of deep maroon and purple.
It just needs about 4 hours of dappled sunshine to look best, so pick a suitable windowsill and watch color and symmetry unfold in your barren spaces!
3. Delicate Blooms
Purple Shamrock will likely bloom in late spring and continue through early summer. If summer gets too hot, it may take a short break. But don’t worry; it often blooms again in the fall. The flowers are edible in small amounts and can be used as a garnish.
They have a tangy taste, a bit like lemon or green apple. Some plants even come labeled as “edible.” However, the oxalic acid in leaves and flowers can be toxic to humans and pets if eaten in large amounts. Check out flowering oxalis varieties here.
4. Improve Mood and Relieve Stress
It has been proved that houseplants improve mental well-being. The purple color of the shamrock is uplifting and can brighten any room.
Also, the care part of this plant can be a calming activity, which helps reduce stress. See more plants for stressed-out people.
5. Space-Friendly and Compact
Another reason why your home needs purple shamrock is that it doesn’t take up much space—ideal for small apartments and homes.
Whether you place it on a windowsill, a side table, or a shelf, it adds a splash of color without overwhelming the space.
6. Easy Propagation
Oxalis triangularis grow from corms—small, bulb-like structures. Like bulbs, they can multiply on their own. If you plant ten corms in a pot, you might have twenty by the end of the year, provided they are planted in the right conditions.
The great thing is that you only need to buy the plant once. After that, you can divide the corms every year to grow more plants.
To help them multiply, make sure your pot is big enough to give them plenty of space to spread.
7. Affordable Yet Rare
Despite its exquisite appearance, the purple shamrock is accessible and budget-friendly; most importantly, it is perfect for beginners while not as common!
It is an excellent choice for anyone looking to add a remarkable plant to their collection without breaking the bank.
8. Shape-Shifting Leaves
This movement is called nyctinasty, and it’s how the plant responds to the natural day-night cycle. As it gets darker, the leaves fold up around the central vein, which makes the plant look all wrapped up and closed for business!
However, the leaves and flowers perk right back up when light returns in the morning.
9. Oxalis Change Color
The plant also displays phototropism—in addition to closing and opening up, leaves can change color depending on the amount and intensity of light they get. In some types, even the flower colors can vary. Check more indoor plants that change color.
A symbol of good luck and prosperity, the purple shamrock also needs its rest or dormancy period. Once it has rested, it will emerge stronger and fuller!
