How To Let Your Purple Shamrocks, Oxalis triangularis Go Dormant.

I'm not sure exactly how many years we've had our Oxalis triangularis growing, but it's been a while. Each year before the first frost we bring it in and let it go dormant till the following spring. Then we take it outside and even though it usually looks dead, it comes back just as beautiful as the year before. In this video, I will show you exactly what it looks like just before it goes dormant, and then what I do to bring it out of dormancy. Before you go, be sure to let us know if you grow Oxalis triangularis, also known as Purple Shamrocks.
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How To Make Lots and Lots of Purple Shamrocks: • How To Propagate Oxali...
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[@MrColtan]

So nice that you had the patience to record several times month apart so we get to see the result immediately 🙌

[@MidwestGardener]

Thanks a bunch! I'm glad that you appreciate the effort! Thanks for watching.

[@dorismoton7108]

I am so glad I came across your video because I was wondering what in the world is wrong with my purple shamrock plant she looks like she had Covid and I was really upset about that. Now I know she’s just going into a dormant stage. The Bible is right seek and you will find! Thank you for such an awesome video!

[@MidwestGardener]

You're welcome! Glad I could help!

[@savannahwallen4206]

Thank you so much for taking the time to show us each stage. My mother passed away in March and her shamrock was her mother's. I was so worried I was letting it die when I brought it in for the winter. Because of this video my children will get to enjoy this plant as well. Thank you ❤.

[@MidwestGardener]

Glad I could help! I hope you have it for many years to come.

[@fiaahl8942]

I loved that you showed how it look around the year. I live in Sweden and well the sun is gone for 4 months and I thought that my oxalis has died. But now I will just let it be and do your steps and hopefully I will have a healthy looking oxalis to June again :) Thank you for this!

[@MidwestGardener]

You're very welcome! It's great to hear from another viewer from Sweden. I would have a hard time dealing with not having the sun shine for that long. I have a cousin who lives in Alaska, and they deal with not having as much sunshine in the winter up there too. I hope your Oxalis comes back to life after the winter is over just as beautiful as it ever was. Thanks for watching!

[@fiaahl8942]

@@MidwestGardener Haha I am not sure how we cope, a mix of candles, wine and plants 😅 I feel with your cousin up north! Thank you for all the advise!

[@jennywithaglock3916]

how did your oxalis fare?

[@shadowsteve]

I bought some of these as a valentine's gift for my girlfriend a couple of years ago. We keep it inside in a jug container with no drainage, in South UK. After the first batch the plant completely died and I pull out the dead plants by hand each time. There was no growth for a very long time and the soil went rock hard, but we one day decided to water it again and are amazed that the plant has started growing again and virtually hasn't stopped!! New plants keep poking through the soil almost every week. It's been in the same container for more than 2yrs with the same soil.

[@MidwestGardener]

Thanks for sharing that, Steven! Yes, they can be very hardy as long as they don't sit in very we soil for a long time.

[@greenthumbelina7331]

I save my tubers after we've had a frost. I just dig the clumps of little tubers and store them in a cool dark place over the winter. I had these pretty plants growing in lots of different planters this past year because of their striking foliage. Thanks for sharing this video Jim, I think there are lots of people who've never saved these tubers before and wanted to know how it was done.

[@MidwestGardener]

Thanks for sharing your experience with saving the tubers, Margie. That's very helpful. I'm sure that others will find that information useful too. I often wonder how many people have thrown their plants out when they were just going dormant instead of being dead.

[@shelliemoore9010]

How did you store your tubers? Not in any soil? How cold does your winter get?

[@andreaguedez7344]

Seeing the progression was extremely helpful. Thank you so much for the video!

[@MidwestGardener]

You're welcome, Andrea!

[@Eyu3eyj3n62h]

good thing I saw this video or I will freak out when my Oxalis becomes dormant. thanks!!

[@MidwestGardener]

I understand. Visually, it looks dead, but the rhizomes sill have life in them.

[@AditiSingh10]

I LOVE YOU

[@MidwestGardener]

You're welcome, Aditi! I hope yours come back for you. Good luck with it!

[@MissyR2538]

Hi, Mr. Jim, thanks so much for your video, it's very helpful. I have one of these and I let mine grow all year round, sometimes in a window, sometimes under a grow light. At one point last year, I almost killed it by overwatering but thank God I nursed it back to health and it's growing great again. I like it because it's a fast growing plant and almost always has new babies coming up, it gives me satisfaction seeing it come alive when it's happy. By the way, I really like the teacup pot yours is planted in, it's adorable. I want one! LoL Anyways, thank you for taking the time to do a time lapse and sharing w/us how this plant behaves and how to care for it. God bless you, Mr. Jim!!😇

[@MidwestGardener]

Thank you Melissa! That is very kind of you. And thanks for sharing how you care for yours. It's always great to here more details of how others care for their plants. I think I probably learn more from others than they ever learn from me.

[@desize1996]

Thanks for the effort to record this over a few months, it's really great to see this!

[@MidwestGardener]

You're welcome! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@sanditruthluvver9657]

Thank you - that was very helpful! Ur final words about if u dont have a good place to winter it, it's ok to let it go dormant. Very helpful.

[@MidwestGardener]

You're welcome! Glad it was helpful!

[@preciousshortie]

wow i never knew this plant went dormant, ive been watering mine all through winter and was wondering why it was quite leggy and sad looking. definitely will let it go dormant and not stress over it like you mention in the future!

[@MidwestGardener]

It's a lot easier unless you have good lighting. If they get leggy, it usually means they aren't getting enough light.

[@Mischyf]

Been watching a few of your videos - I'm new to plants and have been wanting one of these for a while - found some sad looking Oxalis for a reduced price at the box store. Had to repot it when I got home as it was overwatered and would have rotted if I didn't - but now I know if all else fails I can let it sleep. As long as it doesn't rot, it'll come back! You've helped me loads, thumbs up

[@MidwestGardener]

Thank you very much! I'm glad that I could help!

[@janizky]

Nice video I just bought this beautiful plant and will be shipped later on. Good thing I saw your video or I will literally be freaked out when it becomes dormant. Thank you! Greetings from the Philippines.

[@MidwestGardener]

Thanks! You're very welcome. I hope you enjoy growing it as much as we do.

[@TopazFire15]

Thank you for this!! I’m going to be moving in a year or two and wanted to know how to bring my Oxalis with me, and it makes me happy knowing letting the bulbs go dormant won’t hurt it at all :)

[@MidwestGardener]

You're welcome! Glad I could help.

[@BobMelsimpleliving.]

Good morning Jim. That is a cool looking plant. Have a great weekend. Best wishes Bob.

[@MidwestGardener]

Good morning Bob, and thanks! We've had it for a long time, and it's always done well. You have a great weekend too!

[@paulitahernandez8492]

Thanks for the tips. I was clueless.

[@shannona251]

This was so very helpful and exactly what I came here looking for! Thank you so much for this video!!!

[@MidwestGardener]

You're welcome, Shannon! Glad it was helpful!

[@RoseGolden0]

Thankful for this! Mine looks so sad and I thought it was dead. LOL. I will keep it the way it is until spring.

[@MidwestGardener]

I'm glad that I could help you feel better about yours. We will be bringing ours indoors for the winter today.

[@Mrsnufleupagus]

That's a darn pretty plant! I absolutely love plants that can make 10 more of themselves easily:))

[@MidwestGardener]

Yep, this one multiplies pretty well. And it's pretty hardy overall.

[@LoveEmpress]

Greetings, Thank you for sharing your knowledge about Oxalis Triangularis! Now I know why mine was looking straggly and Thanks to You I know what to do! Most appreciative!

[@MidwestGardener]

You're welcome, Belinda! I'm glad that I could help.

[@sheenavigates]

Thanks for posting this update!

[@MidwestGardener]

You're welcome!

[@amyjomeekhof]

Thank you for this! Heading into my first autumn growing this and couldn't figure out why my plant looked so sad!

[@MidwestGardener]

You're welcome! Glad I could help!

[@shirleyk623]

That's a pretty plant. I have a green version of the shamrocks that can be very invasive. I dig them up and discard them. I'm not sure if mine flower or not. Yours is much prettier. Anything purple is pretty. Have a good warm weekend. It finally turned cool here in Florida. We're at 55 ° today.☺🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋

[@MidwestGardener]

Thanks Shirley! I hope the freezes stay away from you there. Yes, I can see where these could be invasive farther south of here. They are just so darned hardy.

[@knclp]

They're beautiful! And they look very happy too

[@MidwestGardener]

Thanks Nicole! They do seem to be very happy....and we are happy that they are happy :)

[@nataliahernandez6778]

Simple video, but, SUPER helpful! Thanks!

[@MidwestGardener]

You're welcome, Natalia! I'm glad that you found it helpful.

[@jammygrl08]

they look so happy!

[@MidwestGardener]

Thanks Maria! Yes, they seem to be pretty happy most of the time, as long as I don't neglect them too much.

[@MStudi0s]

you're a life saver I thought my plant died 😭🌿

[@MidwestGardener]

Glad I could help!

[@jessicabunny6984]

Thank you so much for this video. You put so much effort into showing the full cycle, really appreciate it 🥰 so helpful

[@MidwestGardener]

You're very welcome, Jessica! I'm glad that you appreciate what went into making this video. Thanks!

[@jessicabunny6984]

For sure!! I’ve found many videos which are like ‘I’ll try this and hopefully I’ll make a video that shows how it turned out’ which is fair enough but this will have taken you ages to piece together so glad for your patience to make such An excellent and informative video!!! My Oxalis thanks you too 🥰 (ps yours is beautiful)

[@MidwestGardener]

Thanks a bunch Jessica! It does take more time to do a video like this, but I think it's worth it. I hope your Oxalis has a long and healthy life. Ours is indoors and getting ready to take a winter nap soon.

[@kymclinton3140]

So very very helpful I've just brought four last week as indoor plants

[@MidwestGardener]

Thanks Kym! Glad it was helpful!

[@Cat-io4ly]

Im so nervous to let mine go dormant but I'm going to do it, thanks for the advice

[@MidwestGardener]

I understand. I hope it works as well for you as it has for us over the years.

[@MJ-ce8dk]

Thank you so much! I'll be sure to follow your advice since I've gotten two new shamrock plants. I'm looking forward to help them in their dormant period!

[@MidwestGardener]

You're welcome! Mine is dormant right now, and I will be bringing it out of dormancy next month.

[@jenniemigz9772]

I am so excited to try this, I had big beautiful oxalis all summer and I was feeling bummed.

[@MidwestGardener]

Nice! I hope it works well for you. It's worked for us every year for a while now.

[@jher6969]

Thank you for this video my neighbor let me take her plants, she was not going to bring them inside and this is one of them. I'm going back to get the tubers tomorrow!🤪

[@MidwestGardener]

That's a pretty nice neighbor.

[@countocram]

I live in the Philippines so it's just pretty hot all year long. I think my oxalis started going dormant when I brought it in and I turned on the AC. This video was really helpful. I will keep it somewhere dark for now.

[@MidwestGardener]

You're very welcome! I've never been there, but my brother loved the Philippines :)

[@imperfctbutterfly6509]

Thank you so much. I just purchased 3 shamrock plants and now they look like withering. I had one years ago and I threw it out I didn’t know to keep it .🍀☘️

[@MidwestGardener]

You're welcome!

[@angelessolis1632]

I've have mine for less than 9 yrs, have it in my room by the window, always gives big leaves. Probably water it once a week if i remember. I gave one of the babies to my aunt but she says hers' has died. And another baby i planted it outside, I don't water it like i should and looks so happy.

[@MidwestGardener]

Sounds like you are doing a pretty great job with yours. They can take quite a bit of abuse sometimes. I think the mistake that some people make is over watering without good drainage. They can do too well outside if you live very far south.

[@catalinoancea6601]

Great video! Have a wonderful weekend Mr. Jim!

[@MidwestGardener]

Thanks Catalin! You have a wonderful weekend too!

[@ksero1000]

It’s the last week of June in Southwestern PA. A company just sent me complimentary Holland shamrock bulbs. I’m not sure what to do with them. Plant them now & overwinter them, plant them in fall, or chuck them in the fridge & plant them in spring. It’s pretty late I think to expect the bare root hibiscus and hydrangeas to wake up. I forgot I even ordered them. Never seen the shamrock b4 & Myyyyy they are beautiful!

[@MidwestGardener]

That's a tough call. I would say just go with what feels right and don't look back. Good luck with it....they are fun plants to grow.

[@juvelle08]

Very good coverage of details. Thank you for putting time on this. I also own one. Just had it January so we're still getting to know each other hehe

[@MidwestGardener]

You're welcome! I'm glad that I could help.

[@CBsGreenhouseandGarden]

Thanks for the info Mr. Jim. Those grew super well for ya! Love that coffee cup planter. Where did you find it? Hope you have a great weekend. Stay warm as ya can over there!

[@MidwestGardener]

I'm not sure where she got the coffee cup planter. It was probably at Walmart or some place like that. You have great weekend too! We are going to be a little warmer for a week or so here.

[@mogirl7400]

I love them!

[@MidwestGardener]

I understand why.

[@marvystyle]

One of my favorite plants.thanks for this vdeo.i have a lot of burgundy shamrock in my GARDEN.

[@MidwestGardener]

I can understand why. They are a joy to look at.

[@RMccoury59]

Awesome video I need to do this with mine

[@MidwestGardener]

Thanks!

[@thomasnovak2736]

I grow this too. The leaves are tasty.

[@MidwestGardener]

Good to know. I've never tried it.

[@clxv]

Thank you, I wanted to learn about this to have prettier plants

[@MidwestGardener]

You're welcome! Glad it was helpful!

[@candymueller5100]

Love your ☘

[@MidwestGardener]

Thanks Candy!

[@candymueller5100]

@@MidwestGardener I have my clovers thriving! 🍀

[@MidwestGardener]

@@candymueller5100 Nice!

[@ltlbnsgarden]

Such a beautiful plant 😊

[@MidwestGardener]

Thanks! It is very dependable for us.

[@aveotint]

Thank you for this video Jim. I received Purple Shamrocks plant as a present this April and it was nice till september, than I kept watering and the thing keep looking poorer and poorer lol. I thought well thats it, its over....anyway along comes your video just at the right time and my Shamrocks went hibernating in a cool, dark place. Will report next year how its doing. God bless you.

[@MidwestGardener]

You're very welcome! I'm glad that I could help! I would be very interested to hear how it does next spring. Thanks for sharing this!

[@cynthiacisneros1694]

Thank you❣️

[@MidwestGardener]

You're welcome, Cindy!

[@maloriegood5620]

Hello! Do oxalis require dormancy? Are they okay to keep growing? When do you know they are ready for a sleep? Thanks for your videos!

[@MidwestGardener]

Hi Malorie! The don't require dormancy. It's perfectly fine to keep them growing all year if you have a good light source for them. I allow ours to go dormant mainly for convenience, since we don't really have a good place to keep it growing indoors. Thanks for watching!

[@laurenward973]

Youre amaizng thank you so much for sharing this knowledge and wisdom with us all. I appreciate all the effort too that went into these updates!

[@MidwestGardener]

Thank you very much, Lauren! I really do appreciate that!

[@davidpruitt3982]

That is a nice looking flower,is there a red variety of these also? Great info. Have a great weekend Jim. 👍🏻🇺🇸

[@MidwestGardener]

Thanks David! There is one that is called Burgundy. There might be a red one though. Around here, I've only seen the purple ones and the green ones. You have a great weekend too!

[@melanieklarofficial]

That’s a great point! Thank you!

[@MidwestGardener]

You're welcome! Glad it was helpful!

[@elkekalangie8179]

Well thankyouuuu so much for this information. 💜

[@MidwestGardener]

You're very welcome!

[@zaynkataw83]

thank you

[@MidwestGardener]

You're welcome!

[@1962Melody]

Shamrock houseplants are members of the wood sorrel family of the genus Oxalis. Caring for shamrock plants is simple when you understand their periods of dormancy. Unlike most houseplants, the potted shamrock plant goes dormant in summer. When leaves die back, the potted shamrock plant needs a time of darkness to rest.Aug 12, 2021

[@MidwestGardener]

Interesting. Thanks for the information. Mine have been perfectly happy on the schedule I have them on....which is a bit different.

[@ParttimePilgrim]

Great tip! Thanks!

[@MidwestGardener]

You're welcome! Glad it was helpful!

[@dewantidelaporte965]

O woww..thank you

[@MidwestGardener]

You're welcome!

[@indigomoon7848]

This video is so helpful! When the Oxalis goes dormant and the leaf stems shrivel up, do you just pull them out? Or should I cut them off right above the soil level?

[@MidwestGardener]

Thanks! Glad it was helpful! When they are completely shriveled up, I usually just pull them off.

[@indigomoon7848]

@@MidwestGardener Ahh that's great to know! Thank you so much! :D

[@MidwestGardener]

@@indigomoon7848 You're welcome!

[@katherinechrist-janer5636]

Thank you very much for your videos! I replied to another post below but forgot to ask you directly whether and when to change out soil for the oxalis. As I mentioned below my mom who passed away in August 2019 had this plant for about 30 years. No idea how long it has been in this same soil but it must have been quite a while. It's progressively gotten sadder and sadder looking this winter and as of today the one leaf that was there has dried up. I didn't know about dormancy so I've been watering it and kept it in a sunny location all winter! I dug out the tubers and wondered if I might be able to get them going again (despite the fact that they didn't get their rest) by changing out the soil. Any thoughts you have would be so appreciated. I'm heartbroken because my Mom loved this plant so much. BTW, it is a green oxalis if that matters at all. Thanks you in advance!!

[@MidwestGardener]

Hi Katherine. First of all, I know how you feel about wanting to keep it going. I have zinnias that I plant every year that are descended from my mom's zinnias. Using all the information you have provided, I would get some good quality potting soil and repot them in a couple of different pots just to give yourself a couple of chances for success.....or even three if you have enough tubers. If you can get it to start growing again, then I would repot it every spring in the future. They are normally pretty tough plants and can take some neglect, but yours is special, and should be treated as such. One more thing.....it's best to have it in a container with good drainage holes, and don't over water it. Please let me know if it starts growing again. If there is anything else I can do, please feel free to ask.

[@kaylamurray8502]

Have you ever had issues with it coming back? I got my oxalis from my aunts funeral who I was very close with and I’m so scared to let it go dormant because I don’t want to kill it. It just feels like a bit of my aunt is with me with this plant. I live in WI too so I would think dormancy in winter is what my plant is leaning towards.

[@christinaeilers3562]

Thanks!

[@MidwestGardener]

You're welcome!

[@shelliemoore9010]

Being nearly June (2022) could I let my purple clover go dormant now if it’s really leggy? Or should I just trim back the weak stems and nurse through this year until Fall and go dormant then? I live in NW PA. Though I have an outside shed it could go dormant over the winter, I’m concerned it would be TOO cold here in PA. 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@MidwestGardener]

Usually if the stems are really leggy it means the plant isn't getting enough light. I let mine go dormant indoors. I have had a couple of sprouts make it through the winter here before....outdoors.

[@surgeinc1]

Well that explains what’s wrong with mine!😅

[@MidwestGardener]

Now you know :)

[@JovanniPatrickCruz]

Do you have to repot them after the dormant period??

[@MidwestGardener]

No, you don't have to, but it's the perfect time to do it if you want to.

[@Po10eson]

Hey there! Great informational video. I have the green variety that is ready for dormancy... should I allow the soil to dry out completely (where it is) before storing it in a cool/dark place?

[@MidwestGardener]

Yes, that is what I do. I let it dry out first. I will be bringing ours out of dormancy soon.

[@lanaeatkinson4298]

Hi thanks for the video! Question how long do you keep it in dormancy situation? weeks, months?? And do I keep it in total darkness with no water whatsoever? Thank you!

[@MidwestGardener]

I don't know exactly how long. I bring it in and put it in a corner with now light first. It takes it probably a month and a half or more before most of the leaves die back and shrivel up. At that point, I put it in a room that we don't use much and it stays there until early spring......no water until I bring it out of dormancy in early spring.

[@lanaeatkinson4298]

@@MidwestGardener Thank you!!!

[@MidwestGardener]

@@lanaeatkinson4298 You're welcome!

[@chaoticentity4532]

Hi I live in tropical area, its quiet hot and there is no winter only rain occasionally , can I grow this plant ? do I have to force it to go dormancy or I can just leave it be? Thank you.

[@MidwestGardener]

It should grow well there. I would keep it out of direct sun, except 2 or 3 hours in the morning. I would only have it in a container though, because in warmer climates, it can be a bit invasive. You wouldn't need to worry bout dormancy. It should grow for you all year long.

[@linwong1494]

@@MidwestGardener is it alright for oxalis plants to grow all year round? or will it stress and kill the plant eventually like VFTs? I also live in a tropical area so it's something I worry about. Thank you for replying to their comment even though it's been a year

[@River-hw8bj]

Next year in late october near halloween im definitely doing this

[@MidwestGardener]

It's worth a try.

[@edinamckeown3161]

Listening to your voice sent me to sleep.

[@MidwestGardener]

Sorry about that :)

[@SashaDeKasha]

This is such a beautiful plant!! Don’t throw Tawnya under the bus 😂

[@MidwestGardener]

Thanks Sasha! Lol, lucky for me, she doesn't watch my videos 😀

[@SashaDeKasha]

Midwest Gardener 😂

[@joycewhicker4393]

I let my false shamrock go dormant in late October, it is late January now. Should I remove the tubers or just leave it until spring when I repot it.

[@MidwestGardener]

I just leave ours along until I repot them in spring.

[@joycewhicker4393]

Thank you, one more question. When I repot do I put the tubers in the bottom of the pot or about half way up in the pot? Sorry for the trouble but an elderly lady gave this to me and I don’t want it to die! Thank you so much!

[@sormag]

thank you sooo soo much!!!!!!!!!!

[@MidwestGardener]

You're very welcome 😊

[@sheilacampbell7149]

I have a question. I tried to do this with one of my green shamrocks last winter. I stopped watering it and moved it to the colder dark garage for about 3 months. When I went back to repot it all of the rhizomes had completely shriveled up til they were nothing and did not come back. Did I let it get too dry? What did I do wrong? I have another that needs to take the winter off but don’t want to kill it too. Thank you for any help you can offer.

[@MidwestGardener]

Without knowing all the details, it's kind of hard for me to say. We have been successful every time we have tried it. We keep ours indoors though. Ours are usually bone dry the whole time. Good luck with this one.

[@sheilacampbell7149]

Thank you! My garage is indoors/heated and only gets down to 55-60° in the winter, so mine are indoors year round too. Is there a time limit on how long they can stay dry/dormant? For example, no longer than 4 months? Thanks for your help and video.

[@MidwestGardener]

Ours don't get watered from around October when we bring them indoors, until around May 1st when we repot them and put them outside. So that would be around 6 months. I've never tried longer than that.

[@tanyac.c.macbean4707]

Mine has never gone dormant. They're 8 years old. Until now, in June. They're both so small & dying. Should I take this opportunity to allow them to go full dormant?

[@MidwestGardener]

That is a tough question. It makes me wonder what changed. I don't really have enough information to give advice. If they are small and dying like you say, I would think that they aren't getting enough light. If they aren't getting enough light, then repotting might not do much good. Having said all of that, if the plant was mine, I would go ahead and put it in a dark spot and let it go dormant. Then I would repot and make sure it's getting the right amount of light. Good luck.

[@deborahboehler1208]

What do you do to keep bugs from coming inside with the oxalis plant? Do you rinse it off with a hose or something? I'm a fairly new owner of an oxalis plant and I had it outside for the summer. I would like to bring it in now but am concerned about pests coming in with it. What do you suggest?

[@MidwestGardener]

I would treat it with neem oil a few times before you bring it in, if you are concerned. A neem oil root drench might help too.

[@katerinarich9626]

I had a pretty nice bushy plant and decided to do a fake dormancy for it so it will be fuller next year..when I went looking for those bulbs in the soil there were none! How could that be???

[@MidwestGardener]

I'm not sure exactly what happened to them, Katerina. Usually tubers or bulbs won't dissolve and disappear like that unless they are exposed to too much water. If they are in soil that is too wet, sometimes they can just rot. If your soil was dry, I don't have a good explanation for it. Sure sorry to hear that, but thanks for sharing that. First time I've heard of it.

[@cearrajane63]

Spring time is almost here for me, well it's here but still cold some days, my flowers are starting to die off, am I doing something wrong or is it going dormant? Probably 4 flower stalks have wilted over, another going today. No clovers falling over yet.

[@MidwestGardener]

It might be trying to start dormancy, but it's hard to say. It probably just needs more light. Good to hear that the leaves are ok.

[@cearrajane63]

@@MidwestGardener Thanks for the reply. It's about two feet away from an east facing window, maybe I'll move it to the west. I'll be keeping an even closer eye on it now. Thank you!

[@MidwestGardener]

@@cearrajane63 You're welcome!

[@anushka1357]

If I have a good light source in winter as well, can I let it grow and not let it go dormant?

[@MidwestGardener]

Probably so. It should grow fine as long as it gets enough light and water as needed.

[@anushka1357]

@@MidwestGardener Thanks

[@MidwestGardener]

@@anushka1357 You're welcome!

[@melodym2871]

Hello! I bought “bulbs” on amazon and they came very small and dark brown. Nothing like the typical pine cone-looking bulbs. How do I get them started? Do I need to germinate them? I see a single root sprouting from like 12 bulbs, but the other ones don’t have anything. Please help me! Thank you in advance, great video!

[@MidwestGardener]

Well, if they are still alive, all you have to do is put them in soil and water them. Sounds like they might not be in very good condition. I'm not sure if they will grow or not, but that is about all you can do.....just put them in the soil you are going to grow them in and water them occasionally until they sprout. If they don't come up, you might have to contact the seller. It wouldn't hurt to contact them anyway, to see if they can offer any advice.

[@backpackingrannie5088]

I just ordered 5 corms. How big of a pot do I need for them? This will be my first time with this plant, so I have no idea what this amount will produce.

[@MidwestGardener]

I would give them plenty of room. Even if the pot seems too big at first, in time it should grow to fit the pot. I usually thin mine out when I repot.

[@sitarebalbali]

Any advice for me ? Live in Vancouver, B.C, my oxalis got so leggy , but it’s not Formant yet though . What can I do to make it bushier ? I’ve never fertilized it yet either

[@MidwestGardener]

If it is leggy, it probably needs more light. If it is getting enough light, it won't get leggy.

[@lornathompson3811]

Do you cut the leafs back when you start it’s dormancy?

[@MidwestGardener]

I usually just let them slowly die back on their own, after I stop watering them.

[@lornathompson3811]

@@MidwestGardener Thank you for answering, I’ve been worrying about my plant going into dormancy for the first time. I didn’t want to kill it or damage it’s tubers. God bless xx

[@MidwestGardener]

@@lornathompson3811 You're welcome!

[@1962Melody]

These go dormant in Spring! They bloom in late summer...

[@MidwestGardener]

OK, mine go dormant in the winter and come back to life in the spring when I start watering them again.

[@melanieklarofficial]

Do you have to let them go dormant? Can’t you let them grow nonstop indoors?

[@MidwestGardener]

Yes, you can let them grow nonstop indoors if you have good lighting. Without good lighting, they get leggy fast.

[@MaureenBelieves]

Excellent video, thank you! (They are called 'corms', not bulbs, and not rhizomes, btw)

[@MidwestGardener]

Thanks for the information!

[@rinnyp1625]

do you have to let it go dormant if you have it as an inside plant?

[@MidwestGardener]

No, you don't, but it will require some good indoor lighting.

[@rinnyp1625]

Thank you so much!@@MidwestGardener 🙂

[@MidwestGardener]

@@rinnyp1625 You're welcome!

[@catchien6894]

Hello there! I just started growing these indoors earlier this year. They seem to do ok in my living room window but they never got very big. Any advice on how I can get them to be happier? Also, they're now not opening up with the sunlight like they used to, even though they get pretty direct light all morning. They're not wilting or anything, they're just not opening up. Is this an issue? What can I do to help them thrive? Thanks so much for the video!

[@MidwestGardener]

There are a whole lot of different variables that could cause it to decline in vigor. Without all the information, I can't say for sure. But my suspicion is that it isn't getting enough light. I would try a good artificial light meant for plants.

[@gwendavis6077]

Do you water it at all when it is in dormancy?

[@MidwestGardener]

Once it's dormant, I don't water at all.

[@gwendavis6077]

@@MidwestGardener Thank you. I guess I just have to be patient and wait for it to perk back up.

[@MidwestGardener]

@@gwendavis6077 Yep. It's a little scary the first time you try it. I was a little concerned that it wouldn't sprout again, but it has every time....so far.

[@deeoxana]

You keep Oxalis outside? Thank you

[@MidwestGardener]

Yes, I take it out when the danger of frost has passed, and then it stays until there is a danger of frost in the fall.

[@deeoxana]

@@MidwestGardener thank you, I will try this summer to put my Oxalis on balcony

[@MidwestGardener]

@@deeoxana Good luck! Mine gets some morning sun, but mostly shade in the afternoon.

[@deeoxana]

@@MidwestGardener thank you for advice

[@MidwestGardener]

@@deeoxana You're welcome!

[@SpendTime]

Super👍

[@MidwestGardener]

Thanks!

[@DollyMat]

Do they create more bulbs during dormancy? I just received 6 bulbs from eBay. Was reading what you said to another watcher about the bulbs not being good quality. Fingers crossed.

[@MidwestGardener]

No, I don't think they make more bulbs during dormancy. Good luck!

[@DollyMat]

@@MidwestGardener Thank you.

[@MidwestGardener]

@@DollyMat You're welcome!

[@cathiefagan5085]

I am very confused what to do once I cut back white vines what to look for help please help help Cathie Canada

[@MidwestGardener]

Not sure what you mean, but I just bring outs in for outdoors before the first freeze. Then I stop watering it and let it completely dry out. It will look like all the leaves are dead. At that point, the tubers are just sitting in the soil waiting for water and sunlight. I give them that in the spring when I usually repot and start watering.

[@oneforyes]

I’m in Chicago and the temperature gets up to 100... would my oxalis survive that heat in the backyard? i keep her in my room by the window

[@MidwestGardener]

I think it should do fine outside as long as it has lots of shade in the afternoon. We have ours outside all summer long, and then bring it in before it freezes.

[@gdub14]

Mines been dormant for 3 months. Is that normal?

[@MidwestGardener]

It depends on how you treat it, but yes, they can go dormant quite a while.

[@prathyushadwibhashi9855]

My Oxalis is left only with one small leaf..Is it dead? I stopped watering the plant now..what care should be taken at this point of time?

[@MidwestGardener]

I let ours go dormant during the winter here. Once spring arrives, I start watering it and it comes back to life. There are tiny tubers under the soil, and each of them will sprout leaves once they are watered. If you are just entering winter where you are, you just stop watering and keep it in a cool dark place till spring and then bring it out and start watering.

[@prathyushadwibhashi9855]

@@MidwestGardener .. we are in peak summer now..I'm from india

[@MidwestGardener]

Well, there really isn't a good reason to let it go dormant then, unless you are going on a vacation or something and don't want to worry about it being taken care of.

[@prathyushadwibhashi9855]

@@MidwestGardener post repotting the bulbs, it started to drop off all its leaves and finally it is left only with one leaf..Can you please help me out to save my plant..Thanks in advance!

[@MidwestGardener]

I would just start watering it again, and I'm guessing that it will soon start growing again.

[@karadesu82]

I’ve been reading online that the dormant period is late spring or early summer? I have a green shamrock plant so I don’t know if it’s different for those? Thanks!

[@MidwestGardener]

We let ours go dormant in late fall. We put it outside in the spring and it comes back every time. I showed ours in the last two updates......2 weeks apart. In one, it was just starting to sprout. Then in the last update, it was already starting to flower. I've only had the purple one, so I'm not sure if they are exactly the same other than color or not.

[@karadesu82]

Midwest Gardener thank you for the quick reply! I’m thinking mine is going dormant since they’ve started to die down and only a few are left (even though I was watering it of course)

[@MidwestGardener]

If they die inside, it might be because they don't have enough light. If they are outside, then maybe they are going dormant.

[@karadesu82]

Midwest Gardener how often should one water shamrock plants? I was told to give it 1 teaspoon of water every day or two - is that info incorrect? I usually water my plants fully until the water drains from the bottom, and usually water it like once a week or so, but I thought maybe shamrock plants were different considering the info I was given (but it may be wrong!)

[@MidwestGardener]

@@karadesu82 Mine is outside in the heat, so it gets watered more often the hotter it gets. I mainly try to keep it in a location where it gets shade most of the day. Then I water when the soil looks like it's starting to dry out.

[@maryyoung1347]

Thank you, my ex boyfriend left 2 with me and now I see why they look dead! I thought I had killed them!

[@MidwestGardener]

You're welcome, Mary!