Oxalidaceae
Spiral Sorrel (Oxalis spiralis)
Oxalis spiralis
An easy plant for bright light or part shade, rich well-drained soil and regular watering without waterlogging. It is not frost hardy: in cold climates grow it in a pot and protect it over winter. Great for pots, hanging baskets and edging.
Every 7 days
Partial shade
1ยฐ - ยฐC
% - %
Categories
What is Spiral Sorrel?
Spiral Sorrel (Oxalis spiralis) is a easy-care plant from the Oxalidaceae family. Oxalis spiralis is a small perennial from Costa Rica and western South America, from Colombia and Venezuela to north-western Argentina. It grows low and spreading, 10-40 cm tall, forming mats of clover-like three-part leaves that fold up at night. The leaves range from green to purple-red or coppery...
Spiral Sorrel grows up to 40cm, spread of 50cm, watering every 7 days. It is suitable for indoor environments and not safe for pets.
Unlike many tropical plants, Spiral Sorrel tolerates watering mistakes. Best for beginners. Without precautions, ingestion can cause irritation in pets. Keep out of reach of cats and dogs. Without adequate drainage, root rot can develop within 14 days.
How to Care for Spiral Sorrel?
TLDR: Spiral Sorrel needs Partial shade, watering every 7 days, and temperatures between 1-30ยฐC with 40-70% humidity.
How Often Should You Water Spiral Sorrel?
Water when the top 2 cm of soil is dry, roughly once a week in warm weather. Keep the soil lightly moist, never soggy: too much water rots the roots. Water less in winter.
How Much Light Does Spiral Sorrel Need?
Bright light with morning or late-afternoon sun, or part shade. Sun brings out the leaf colour, but strong midday sun can scorch it in hot climates.
What Is the Best Soil for Spiral Sorrel?
Rich, humus-rich soil that drains well. In pots, use general potting mix with some perlite or sand.
What Pot Should You Use for Spiral Sorrel?
A pot or hanging basket with drainage holes; it spreads and spills over the edge. In frosty climates a pot lets you bring it in for winter.
What Is Spiral Sorrel and Where Does It Come From?
Oxalis spiralis is a small perennial from Costa Rica and western South America, from Colombia and Venezuela to north-western Argentina. It grows low and spreading, 10-40 cm tall, forming mats of clover-like three-part leaves that fold up at night. The leaves range from green to purple-red or coppery, especially in sun. From summer to autumn it bears small yellow five-petalled flowers on thin reddish stems. Garden varieties such as 'Sunset Velvet' and 'Zinfandel' belong to subspecies vulcanicola, once treated as a separate species (Oxalis vulcanicola).
How to Propagate Spiral Sorrel?
Division
This is the quickest method. Stems that touch the soil also root and can be separated.
- 1 Take the plant out of its pot or lift the clump
- 2 Pull or cut it with a clean knife into pieces with roots and leaves
- 3 Replant each piece in moist, well-drained mix
- 4 Keep in bright shade and moist until it grows again
Materials needed:
Stem cuttings
Keep the mix moist but not wet so the cuttings do not rot.
- 1 Cut 5-8 cm stem tips
- 2 Remove the lower leaves
- 3 Insert in a light, moist mix
- 4 Keep in bright, indirect light until rooted
Materials needed:
How Big Does Spiral Sorrel Grow?
TLDR: Spiral Sorrel can reach up to 40cm tall with Medium growth rate.
Max height
40cm
Spread
50cm
Warning: Toxic Plant
This plant can be toxic if ingested. Keep out of reach of:
Plant Uses
Ornamental
Great for decoration
Ground Cover
Soil coverage
Is your plant showing symptoms?
Click on the symptom to discover possible causes:
What Diseases Commonly Affect Spiral Sorrel?
TLDR: Spiral Sorrel is susceptible to 4 known diseases. Monitor regularly for early detection.
Slugs and Snails
Slugs and snails are mollusks that feed on plant tissue, causing irregular holes in leaves and damage to young seedlings. They are most active at night and in moist conditions, leaving characteristic silvery slime trails. These pests can quickly devastate gardens, especially during wet seasons.
Curculionidae
Curculionidae (weevils) are small beetles that feed on plants. Adults chew leaf margins, leaving crescent-shaped notches, primarily at night. The larvae live in the substrate and consume roots, causing decline, yellowing, and wilting even when the substrate is moist, and in severe cases, plant death. They frequently affect ornamentals and garden plants such as strawberries, citrus, roses, hydrangeas, azaleas, blueberries, begonias, and many potted plants.
Rust
Rust is a common fungal disease caused by fungi in the order Pucciniales that affects a wide variety of plants. The disease gets its name from the characteristic orange, yellow, or reddish-brown pustules that appear on leaves, resembling metal rust. This obligate fungal parasite requires living plants to survive and can cause significant economic losses in agricultural crops.
Root Rot
Root rot is a serious fungal disease that affects the root system of plants, causing them to decay and die. It is primarily caused by overwatering, poor drainage, or soil-borne fungi such as Pythium, Phytophthora, Rhizoctonia, and Fusarium. The disease thrives in waterlogged conditions where roots are deprived of oxygen, making them susceptible to fungal infection.
Fun Facts
The leaves fold up at night and track the light during the day.
Popular varieties such as 'Zinfandel' have almost black leaves, while 'Aureus' is yellow-green.
Around Bogota it grows wild on roadsides above 3,000 m.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Oxalis spiralis and Oxalis vulcanicola?
Is it cold hardy?
Is it toxic to cats and dogs?
Why do the leaves close at night?
Compare with similar plants
| Attribute | Difficulty | Light | Watering | Pet Safe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Field Maple | Easy | Bright indirect | 14d | โ |
| Iberian Houseleek | Easy | Direct sun | 14d | โ |
| Silver Birch | Easy | Direct sun | 14d | โ |
| Common Blanketflower | Easy | Direct sun | 10d | โ |
Choose & Compare
Sources & References
- Wikipedia - Oxalis spiralis
- POWO (Kew) - Oxalis spiralis Ruiz & Pav. ex G.Don
- RHS Plants - Oxalis vulcanicola (= O. spiralis subsp. vulcanicola)
- Herbario Jardin Botanico de Bogota - Oxalis spiralis specimens
- Phoenix Perennials - Oxalis spiralis subsp. vulcanicola 'Sunset Velvet' (search snippet)
- ASPCA - Shamrock plant (Oxalis, soluble oxalates)