Taking up little space, but enjoying a front seat in a south window, the South American Oxalis brasiliensis makes a lovely pot plant. Many oxalis tend to recline or droop, but this is a neat-appearing plant with upright leaf stems 4 or 5 inches high.
Its trifoliate, shamrock-like leaves are barely an inch wide on opening, but when full size may be 1-1/2 inches across. The wine red blooms are about an inch wide, coming two or three on a 7-inch stem. It increases prolifically by means of stolons (underground stems) sent out from small bulbs just under the surface of the soil. More bulbs are formed on these stolons, soon filling a good-sized pot.
Loves Light Soil
This oxalis delights in a light soil. Not knowing its exact soil requirements at the time bulbs were first acquired, they were potted in equal parts of sand, leafmold and well-rotted cow manure. This suited the bulbs so well that buds soon formed and the plants bloomed profusely throughout the entire winter.
Oxalis brasiliensis seems to be less sensitive to extreme light, or lack of light, than many of the other oxalis species grown in pots. The flower petals do close in the evening, but the leaves remain open as in the daylight hours; quite a contrast to other oxalis which are very sensitive to light changes.
Late in the summer there is apt to be a gradual drying off of the foliage, and water then should be given sparingly until all leaves have turned yellow. At this time plants can be divided or repotted, or left to rest and then repotted when the bulbs start new growth. For two or three months this oxalis will show no sign of life.
After the rest period water is again given carefully in small amounts. As soon as good growth has begun, they require more.
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