Purple shamrock plant is a rhizomatous, herbaceous perennial in the wood sorrel family (Oxalidaceae) native to South America. It is grown as an ornamental garden or houseplant. The species epithet is Latin for “triangula” and describes the shape of the leaflets. In areas colder than Zone 8, it will need to be grown as a houseplant. Use a loamy potting mix with good drainage and allow the surface to dry between waterings. Place in full sun to partial shade. The plant may go dormant for a while in the autumn, or if it gets too hot or too dry. Cut back on watering and wait for new growth to appear. In the garden (Zones 8 and higher), the purple shamrock plant thrives in well-drained soil, in sun or partial shade. It will go dormant in winter and reemerge in spring. The plant grows from unusually structured rhizomes with scale leaves that store water and nutrients. It is like an elongated bulb. The plant can be propagated by dividing the rhizome or by breaking off the scale leaves, which will produce new plants. The trifoliolate leaves resemble a shamrock and can be green to variegated to deep maroon in color. The leaves close up at night or when disturbed. The white to pink 5-petaled flowers bloom in clusters in spring to summer on stems held above the plant and also close at night. Use purple shamrock in the border or as an accent or groundcover. It grows equally well in containers. It is at home in a rock garden, cottage garden, edible garden, or (partial) shade garden. As its flowers attract butterflies, it could be used in a butterfly garden. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease problems.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
All parts of the plant have toxic potential, although the possibility of serious effects is usually limited to ingestions of large quantities. Consuming Oxalis species can produce colic in horses, and kidney failure is possible if significant amounts are eaten.