Oxalis (60 photos) - types, cultivation and care at home

general information

Oxalis got its name from the characteristic sour taste of its leaves. By nature, it is a flowering grass from South America, which is also called false clover. There are perennials and annuals, but they are very similar in appearance.

Oxalis has a creeping superficial rhizome, which gradually becomes overgrown with growths similar to small tubers. The height of ornamental grass is up to 30 cm, and usually even less. At the same time, the length of the palmate leaves on long petioles easily reaches 15 cm. Interestingly, depending on the weather and time of day, the leaves can droop and rise.

At the end of spring, the wood sorrel blooms and continues to bloom for another month. Each peduncle bears one or several tubular buds that open into beautiful curved funnels. The most common shades are white, yellow and pink.

Photo: oir.mobi

Description, birthplace of culture

Oxalis is a herbaceous plant of the sorrel family, widely distributed both in indoor floriculture and in garden plots.
It was first discovered in Brazil and Mexico, later in South Africa, and in Central and South America. In Ireland, the quatrefoil is considered a national symbol and adorns the country's coat of arms. There are more than 800 varieties of this plant around the world, including garden and indoor specimens.

The flower has several names, each of which justifies itself:

"Good morning". This is the name of the flower because of its ability to open its foliage in the morning, in sunlight. At sunset and in cloudy weather, the leaves fold on the contrary.
Clover. Varieties with a four-leaf shape are very similar to clover and are considered to bring good luck.
"Butterfly". The shape of the leaves is similar to the wings of this insect.
“Hare cabbage.” The leaves of the plant are edible, have medicinal properties and a slightly sour taste.
Oxalis. Botanical name.
"Family happiness". In many countries, it is customary to give sorrel under the Christmas tree for the New Year as a symbol of happiness and good luck. It is also advised to place a pot with this flower next to a sick person, this will help gain strength and achieve a speedy recovery.

Types of oxalis

Oxalis is very diverse, but only a few species have taken root in Russia. In indoor conditions, you can still experiment with breeding hybrids, but in the garden we advise you to stick to time-tested classics!

Common sorrel

The most common perennial species that grows in coniferous forests and gets along well with mushrooms. The palmate leaves are assembled from intricate heart-shaped fragments. The flowers are solitary, light, but with distinct dark veins.

Photo: goodhouse.ru

Variegated wood sorrel

A very unusual appearance with multi-colored buds - white with a burgundy border. Variegated varieties also differ in the shape of their leaves, which consist of thin, long parts. At night, the flowers curl into a tube.

Photo: zen.yandex.ru

Triangular oxalis

These are the same purple leaves that are so reminiscent of butterfly wings. This species is most often grown indoors. It looks even more bizarre during flowering, when long whitish tube buds bloom.

Photo: cvetyphoto.blogspot.com

Tuberous sorrel

It is an edible plant that is grown in its native countries along with other garden tubers. This sorrel is valued for its high starch content. But in general it is also quite decorative with its pink flowers.

Photo: oir.mobi

Ferruginous oxalis

Great option for gardens and containers. It grows into a small but very dense bush up to 15 cm wide. The leaf segments are folded as if in a fan. The flowers have a beautiful pink-silver hue.

Photo: agroinstryment.ru

Four Leaf Oxalis

Its showy leaves are composed of four segments and are almost brown in the center. But the edge is light green. The bush is small, up to 15 cm, and, in fact, it is a lush rosette on a short stem. It blooms in loose umbrella inflorescences of red, pink or purple flowers.

Photo: sunhome.ru

Carob sorrel

An excellent ground cover that grows so quickly and vigorously that some consider it a weed. The leaves are collected from heart-shaped segments of burgundy or brown.

Photo: facenewss.ru

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Varieties: brief descriptions and photos

The most common types of wood sorrel grown in homes and gardens are those listed below. The following are brief descriptions and photos of flower species.

Triangular

Oxalis triangularis is a herbaceous plant with purple, triangular-shaped leaves, which are collected in threes per stem. The height of the shoots reaches 30 cm. The flowers are snow-white, with five petals.

Four-leaved

Oxalis tetraphylla has another name - Deppe. The leaves are heart-shaped, clustered four per stem, green at the edges, and purple in the center. The flowers are pink, with a green center. The height of the shoots is about 40 cm.

Bovey

Oxalis bowiei is distinguished by pale pink flowers, large in size, and heart-shaped green leaves, which are collected in threes per stem. Height reaches 30 cm.

Ordinary

The green leaves of oxalis acetosella are arranged three per stem, have a complex shape and a green color. Stem height 20 cm. Flowers large, white. It has a high content of oxalic acid and is used in salads.

Ferruginous

Oxalis adenophylla is a rather low-growing variety that covers the soil with a carpet, the height of the stem barely reaches 10 cm. The leaves are green, collected four per stem, the flowers are purple and large.

Multicolored

The funnel-shaped buds of oxalis versicolor have two colors, white on the inside and bright pink on the outside. The leaves are green, elongated, stem height 15–20 cm.

Purple

More than any other species, it resembles a beautiful butterfly; the purple leaves resemble the wings of this insect. Located on a long stem, collected in groups of three.

Oxalis care

Oxalis loves warmth and does not tolerate frost. In the summer it can be taken outside or planted in the garden, but wintering is strictly indoors. Otherwise, it causes almost no problems, despite its exotic appearance.

Temperature

The ideal temperature for sorrel is from 20 degrees, but it definitely needs fresh air. In summer, it is better to move indoor flowerpots to the balcony or at least ventilate them more often. In winter, keep the temperature to 12-18 degrees.

Photo: profile.ru

Lighting

Oxalis definitely needs a long sunny day, up to 14 hours. But at the same time, diffused light is desirable, so by noon it is shaded. Indoor flowerpots will need additional lighting in winter.

Photo: gardendesign.com

Watering

In summer, sorrel is watered frequently and intensively, as soon as the top layer dries. Garden sorrel usually has enough natural precipitation. During the dormant period, watering once every 1-1.5 months is sufficient. In addition, in hot weather, sorrel can be sprayed. But in general, it adapts well to any air humidity.

Photo: cvetyphoto.blogspot.com

The soil

Choose airy, light soil for deciduous plants. All-purpose mixtures are also suitable, but you should add baking powder to them. In the garden, the soil is dug up in advance with peat and humus.

Photo: domashniecvety.ru

Fertilizers and fertilizing

For feeding, use mineral mixtures with nitrogen and phosphorus - for the leaves and root system. But a very low concentration is needed - twice as weak as the recommended norm. Garden species can be fed with organic matter, and indoor species with wood ash and succinic acid.

Photo: oir.mobi

Trimming

To keep the sorrel looking neat, it needs to be thinned out periodically. This applies to both indoor bushes and garden ground cover species. And always remove dry leaves and faded buds.

Photo: domashniecvety.ru

Wintering

This is true for garden species. In the fall, the above-ground part of the sorrel dies, and then you need to carefully dig up the tubers and leave them to overwinter in a dark, cool place. At the beginning of spring, dig them into the soil with sand in containers, and only then plant them in the garden.

In the southern regions, tubers can be left to overwinter in open ground. But still, after the ground part dies, you need to mulch them with a thick layer so that they do not freeze.

Photo: domashniecvety.ru

Transfer

Before transplanting, you must first stop watering and dry the earthen ball. After this, carefully transfer the plant into a pot a couple of centimeters larger. This is necessary, among other things, to stimulate the growth and formation of daughter tubers. In most cases, wood sorrel calmly tolerates transshipment even during flowering.

Photo: facenewss.ru

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Reproduction of indoor beauty

Oxalis propagation occurs in different ways using tubers, bulbs, leaves, and cuttings. Each of them is effective in its own way.

Tuber (rhizome) of triangular sorrel

This houseplant does not reproduce by seeds. The bulbs separate well from each other. Skilled gardeners recommend planting several flower bulbs in one flowerpot. This will allow the bush to become lush. 4-7 cubs are placed in a pot. They are deepened a little, then covered with earth. Gardeners plant children at the end of winter. In spring, they are watered moderately at a low temperature of 12-14°C, then the pot is placed in a dark place until the first shoots appear.

Reproduction and planting of sorrel

Garden sorrel is planted with seeds directly into the ground by mid-spring. After just 2 weeks, the seedlings hatch, but throughout the first year the plant grows roots and rosettes. Already on the second day, the bushes acquire their decorative properties and bloom. In the garden, young plants are planted to a depth of about 3.5 cm and in increments of 10-12 cm.

At home, wood sorrel is most often propagated by cuttings, and any part of the plant is suitable. Even individual leaf segments take root well. But it is better to root them immediately in loose soil with sand and humus. In the warmth and sun, after 3 weeks they will take root safely.

Photo: koffkindom.ru

Dormancy period and plant replanting

Some species of wood sorrel rest in winter. The rest period usually lasts one to two months. The leaves may not even fall, and the plant seems to freeze, stopping growth - this is a signal that it is advisable to move the sorrel to a cooler place with minimal watering to restore strength. If the plant begins to appear fresh shoots, it needs to be transplanted into a fresh substrate, returned to its original place and watering and fertilizing resumed.

Deppey's oxalis completely loses its leaves in the fall and goes into rest; the pot with the plant is usually kept dry at a temperature of +8°C-+10°C. The dormant period lasts about two months, after which the container with the nodules is again placed in a warm, bright place and begins to be moderately moistened.

In spring, it is advisable for all types of oxalis to be transplanted into fresh soil. You can make it yourself from equal parts of peat, leaf, turf, humus soil and sand. The substrate should be slightly acidic and light.

Feed sorrel during the period of growth and flowering with universal fertilizer, alternating it with organic matter every 2 weeks.

Pest and disease control

Oxalis has excellent strong immunity, which is partly due to its high acid content. Even fungus and spider mites rarely affect it. Therefore, no measures are needed here. Just use medicinal products and adjust the humidity!

Photo: lifeflower.ru

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Properties and Application

Oxalis is used in folk medicine due to the content of acids such as:

sorrel;
amber;
apple;
ascorbic acid

It is used for poisoning and helps remove arsenic and mercury from the body.
Used as an anti-inflammatory agent and has an antipyretic effect.
Acts as a diuretic and promotes the removal of stones.
Promotes digestion, increases stomach acidity, helps the flow of bile.
Used to prevent arthrosis and restore joints.
Reduces neuralgic and menstrual pain by relaxing the muscles of the internal organs.
Helps remove worms and helminthic infestations.
Used as a regenerating and hemostatic agent.

In addition to acids, sorrel contains vitamins A, C, K, P, B9, as well as flavonoids and carotenoids. It is harvested during the flowering period, from April to July, at this time the concentration of biologically active substances in the plant is maximum.

Fresh leaves and dried leaves are suitable for treatment, which can be stored and used throughout the year.

Kislitsa – photo

Oxalis is very beautiful and good in any conditions. We invite you to take a closer look at what its fancy leaves are worth in our photo gallery!

Photo: domashniecvety.ru

Photo: domashniecvety.ru Photo: domashniecvety.ru

Photo: domashniecvety.ru

Photo: domashniecvety.ru Photo: domashniecvety.ru Photo: domashniecvety.ru

Photo: domashniecvety.ru

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What difficulties may arise when growing sorrel?

Oxalis is rarely susceptible to various diseases if it is grown under the right conditions. Indoor pests are also not dangerous for her. Exceptions include mites, aphids, and scale insects, which can attack the plant. There is also a risk of attack by whitefly and blackworm, which will harm the plant. To cure an indoor flower, you must first get rid of parasitic microorganisms. For this it is worth purchasing medications. In most cases, they only have disinfecting properties.

Oxalis is rarely susceptible to various diseases if it is grown under the right conditions.

It is best to have such universal products in stock at home. As soon as the first signs of attack by microorganisms become noticeable on the plant, it is necessary to begin disinfection. It is imperative to separate all infected plants and place them separately in order to infect healthy plants. After 1-2 weeks, the bush will need to be further treated to prevent the re-spread of parasites. If an oxalis flower is affected by spider mites, it must be treated with Actellik. A very simple solution will help completely eliminate aphids. To prepare it, you need to dissolve a couple of tablespoons of soap in 0.5 liters of water. Next, spray all the liquid over the plant.

Be sure to pay attention to ensure that medicinal substances do not get on the soil. But you can get rid of scale insects mechanically

Oxalis is a unique plant that will decorate every home

Each parasite can be removed with your own hands, without treatment with chemicals. Only after all the insects have been eliminated can the leaves of the oxalis be additionally treated with actara. Most likely, it will not be possible to eliminate annoying neighbors the first time, so the procedure will have to be repeated. It is imperative not to forget that all manipulations must be carried out exclusively in the fresh air. If soapy water was applied, then after a couple of hours it should be washed off from the surface of the leaves. In general, if you follow all the rules for caring for this treasure, it will look healthy and beautiful.

Oxalis is a unique plant that will decorate every home. Caring for it is very simple, so even a novice gardener can trust this bush.

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How to replant

Oxalis should be replanted only after the pot is definitely too small for the flower. This is easy to determine - the wood sorrel will grow thickly, and its bulbs will become slightly visible above the soil surface. Another sign is that the flower may go dormant faster and more often than usual.

Usually transplanted:

adult plant - once every 2 years;
young flower - once a year.

Changing a pot is always stressful for a plant. To prevent the wood sorrel from starting to fade and decide to “hibernate,” you need to transfer it to a new “place of residence” as carefully as possible. In order not to damage the root system, the flower is carefully removed from the old pot along with a lump of earth.

Oxalis likes to grow “comfortably”, that is, quite densely. When dividing plants when transplanting, try to divide the sorrel into two more or less equal parts without thinning them.

To get tubers “for divorce,” it is best to separate them when replanting the plant. This way you will minimize stress for him - you will perform one “painful” operation instead of two.