Bloom
Spiral Sorrel
๐Ÿ  Indoor

Oxalidaceae

Spiral Sorrel (Oxalis spiralis)

Oxalis spiralis

Easy โ˜€๏ธ Partial shade โš ๏ธ Toxic to pets

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.

๐Ÿ’ง Watering

Every 7 days

โ˜€๏ธ Light

Partial shade

๐ŸŒก๏ธ Temperature

1ยฐ - ยฐC

๐Ÿ’จ Humidity

% - %

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.

๐Ÿ’ง

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.

โ˜€๏ธ

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.

๐Ÿชด

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.

๐Ÿบ

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?

๐ŸŒฑ

Division

This is the quickest method. Stems that touch the soil also root and can be separated.

  1. 1
    Take the plant out of its pot or lift the clump
  2. 2
    Pull or cut it with a clean knife into pieces with roots and leaves
  3. 3
    Replant each piece in moist, well-drained mix
  4. 4
    Keep in bright shade and moist until it grows again

Materials needed:

Clean knifePotsWell-drained mix
โฑ๏ธ Time: 2-3 weeks to settle ๐Ÿ“Š Success rate: high ๐Ÿ—“๏ธ Best season: Spring
๐ŸŒฑ

Stem cuttings

Keep the mix moist but not wet so the cuttings do not rot.

  1. 1
    Cut 5-8 cm stem tips
  2. 2
    Remove the lower leaves
  3. 3
    Insert in a light, moist mix
  4. 4
    Keep in bright, indirect light until rooted

Materials needed:

Clean scissorsLight mixSmall pot
โฑ๏ธ Time: 2-4 weeks ๐Ÿ“Š Success rate: medium ๐Ÿ—“๏ธ Best season: Summer

How Big Does Spiral Sorrel Grow?

TLDR: Spiral Sorrel can reach up to 40cm tall with Medium growth rate.

๐Ÿ“

Max height

40cm

โ†”๏ธ

Spread

50cm

โš ๏ธ

Warning: Toxic Plant

This plant can be toxic if ingested. Keep out of reach of:

๐Ÿฑ Cats ๐Ÿถ Dogs

Plant Uses

๐ŸŒบ

Ornamental

Great for decoration

๐ŸŒฟ

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

Medium

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.

View solution

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.

View solution

Rust

Medium

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.

View solution

Root Rot

High

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.

View solution

Fun Facts

๐Ÿ’ก

The leaves fold up at night and track the light during the day.

๐Ÿ’ก

Popular varieties such as 'Zinfandel' have almost black leaves, while 'Aureus' is yellow-green.

๐Ÿ’ก

Around Bogota it grows wild on roadsides above 3,000 m.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between Oxalis spiralis and Oxalis vulcanicola?
Oxalis vulcanicola is now a subspecies of Oxalis spiralis (subsp. vulcanicola). The colourful-leaved varieties sold as velvet oxalis come from it.
Is it cold hardy?
It cannot take frost and suffers below about 1-5 ยฐC. In cold regions, grow it in a pot and move it somewhere sheltered for winter.
Is it toxic to cats and dogs?
Like all oxalis, it contains soluble oxalates. Eating a lot can cause vomiting and drooling in pets; keep it away from animals that chew plants.
Why do the leaves close at night?
That is normal: oxalis leaves fold down in the dark and open again in the light.

Compare with similar plants

Attribute Difficulty Light Watering Pet Safe
Field Maple Easy Bright indirect 14d โœ“
Iberian Houseleek Easy Direct sun 14d โœ“
Silver Birch Easy Direct sun 14d โœ“
Common Blanketflower Easy Direct sun 10d โœ“

Choose & Compare

vs

Sources & References

Related plants