Surely you have often seen in stores the so-called “butterfly flowers”, a type of plant with purple flowers that close at night. But what you may not know is that these Oxalis are actually of several types. For example, the Oxalis tetraphylla, also called deppei, which we want to tell you about.
Do you know how it is? And the care you need? Don’t worry, we are going to give you all the keys so that you have this plant in your home and, incidentally, so that it can last you year after year and enjoy it.
Contents
How is Oxalis tetraphylla
The first thing you need to know about Oxalis tetraphylla is that you can find it commercially under another scientific name, Oxalis deppei. As well as a common name: Iron Cross. Other names it may go by are four-leaf clover (be careful, it’s not lucky like these because it’s not really a clover), as well as four-leaf rose sorrel.
Visually, you have a bulbous plant, native to Mexico, from which grow long but very thin stems, strong enough to rise above the pot and present particular leaves. These are divided into four parts, hence the name clover with a characteristic green color. However, in the center they will always be intense purple.
It has the particularity that, when the intensity of the light or the sun decreases, the leaves close in on themselves, seeming to wither. But in reality it’s not like that, it’s something typical of wood sorrels.
If you are lucky, in spring and summer it can bloom for you. We are not going to tell you that the flowers are very pretty, because indeed, compared to the leaves, they go almost unnoticed, but they are pleasant to look at. These are red or pink in color and have five constant petals and a white, green and yellow center. And, just like the leaves, at night you will see that it closes to reopen in the morning.
A curiosity of Oxalis tetraphylla that you should know is that it is edible. You can eat the leaves as well as the flowers. But be careful, because if you eat too much then it is very toxic and you can have consequences.
Oxalis tetraphylla treatment
Did you know Oxalis tetraphylla? Do you have one at home? These are plants that have been in fashion for a few years, and although previously only the one with purple leaves was known, nurseries and garden centers offer more different species that delight plant lovers.
But, as a plant, it has needs that you must meet. In this case, the most important are detailed below.
location and temperature
Oxalis tetraphylla needs light, yes, but not direct. This may make you think you can have it indoors in a bright spot, or outdoors in partial shade. But of the two, we recommend putting it more outside than inside. If you have it indoors, the stems will be thinner, and may even fall off due to the weight of the leaves, in addition to being weaker.
Look for a place in partial shade (so that it receives the sun early in the morning, or at the end of the afternoon) or in the shade but with a lot of indirect light. Of course, it will be necessary to check because the stems tend to move according to the light and changing its orientation can be good for maintaining good plant growth.
Regarding the temperature, It is a plant that holds well from 10 to 25 degrees. Even over 30 might fit (if it’s been with you for a long time). But above all it will be normal that he ends up dying.
The cold takes it worse, but halfway. And it is that if where you live it is usually cold in winter you will lose the plant, but you can dig up the bulbs, store them in a dry and dark place and replant them at the end of winter or at the beginning of spring. for them to come out again. Another option is to leave them in the pot, although in this case I recommend protecting it.
Substrate
Oxalis tetraphylla is a plant that must have a good substrate, one that avoids excess humidity. For this reason, we recommend a mixture with universal substrate, peat and perlite or akadama. In this way, it will be looser and the roots of the bulbs will be able to move forward.
In general, you won’t have to transplant it until you find that there are too many plants (and bulbs) in the pot where you have it, for which it is better to separate them in winter. and plant them in different pots in the spring.
Irrigation
Oxalis tetraphylla is not a plant that needs a lot of water. In general, only water when the soil is dry. But it’s the plant itself that can warn you, as its leaves and stems collapse when it suffers from drought. Obviously, it’s not good to come to this.
Therefore, using peat in the soil will help maintain moisture and give you time to water it when it starts to dry out.
What you can’t afford is to overwater it, because the bulbs will rot.
Size
Oxalis tetraphylla does not really need pruning. But yes maintenance in terms of removing wilted stems and leaves. This will happen especially after the summer, when the cold starts to arrive.
the reproduction
EventuallyOxalis tetraphylla is propagated by plant division. To do this, you need to make sure you have a plant that is at least 20 centimeters tall and very leafy.
You can remove the plant from the pot and very carefully divide it into clumps for replanting. Although, if you see it holding up, it’s best to do it when the bulbs settle down.
You should also know that it is a plant that also reproduces in the air, and it will not be strange that, if you have it, suddenly you see this plant being born in other pots further (or near) without you having done anything.
Oxalis tetraphylla is not a very demanding plant, but you must give it a good location and care so that it can support you and you can enjoy it (and its reproduction). Do you have any other tips for this plant?