If you like to grow flowering plants indoors, then why not try false shamrock? This plant has a delicate appearance with three leaflets. They look fabulous when you grow them in a hanging basket.
The signature triangular leaves with green stems look stunning. The color of the leaves ranges from green to purple. This plant can produce beautiful flowers if it gets favorable conditions and care.
The interesting feature about this plant is that it closes its leaves and flowers at night and reopens again in the morning.
Propagation Of False Shamrock
The botanical name of this plant is Oxalis and it belongs to the Oxalidaceae family. The other name of the shamrock plant is Black oxalis, Purple Shamrock, False Shamrock, Love Plant, Wood Sorrel, and Oxalis.
This is an appealing houseplant that will enhance the beauty of your indoor area due to its delicate flowers and ravishing green leaves. False shamrocks are one of those plants that can overcrowd a pot easily.
The color flowers of the false shamrock are found from white to pale pink or lavender. The height of this plant can be reached up to 0.5 to 1 foot and the width can be 1-2 feet. You can propagate false shamrock by following methods.
1- From Division
This is a very cheap method of propagating false shamrock. If you have already shamrock plants and they become overcrowded then division will assist you. Here are simple and easy steps for the division process.
You should carefully follow all the steps and tips so you will succeed in growing shamrock plants in your pot or container.
- First of all, gently dig up the plant you already have. This will help to keep the roots intact. If the size of the plant is very large then you can carefully separate the root ball for the division process. You can use sterile scissors which will help to divide the root ball into half or more pieces.
- Now take the pot or container in which you want to grow your false shamrock plants. Make sure the container or pot you are using must have drainage holes at the bottom. Drainage holes will help you to avoid root rot and fungal disease. If you are using an old pot or container then make sure you wash it.
- Now fill your container or pot with high-quality potting mix. Avoid using garden soil for filling your pot. Garden soil is so compact and poor. You can add compost or suitable fertilizer to make your soil more rich and full of nutrients.
- After preparing your pot or container, you can plant the new section of false shamrock plants in the soil of your pot or container. After planting the new section in the soil you should water the new plant so it can adjust to the new environment.
From Bulbs
You can also propagate false shampoo by planting bulbs. The best time to plant the bulbs of the false shamrock is in Spring. If you are using a large container or a pot then make sure there should be 3 to 4 inches of gap between them.
After planting the bulbs, water the soil. But avoid overwatering because it will make your soil soggy. Most of the plants don’t like wet feet so you should be careful.
The location of the pot is very important, place the pot in a warm and bright area where your bulbs grow faster. The new growth will be seen within three to four weeks.
Requirements For Growing False Shamrock Indoors
False shamrock plants need little maintenance as they can adjust to average soil conditions. This plant is drought-tolerant and thrives in poor soil.
You should fulfill all the requirements of the false shamrock and provide favorable conditions and add a colorful statement to your home.
1- Light
It is very difficult to maintain the lighting requirement for indoor plants. The false shamrock plants need one to two hours of direct sunlight regularly.
You should place your pot near a sunny window where it gets bright and indirect light. It is recommended that you should rotate your shamrock plants every week.
In this way, each part of the plant will receive adequate sunlight and grow healthier. If you are not in a flight then you can see stunted growth. If you don’t have a sunny window you can arrange artificial light for your plants.
2- Soil
Well-drained, sandy, and loamy soil is needed for filling the pot for growing false shamrock. When you grow plants in containers or pots then you get the option of making your soil more fertile.
Never use garden soil for growing plants in containers or pots. You can make garden soil rich by adding potting mix and peat moss or coconut coir. Rich and fertile soil will give you better results.
Compost and fertilizer also help to make your soil full of nutrients. When your plants have all the minerals and basic nutrients then they will flourish.
3- Water
Water is an important factor in the growth of any plant. Make sure your shamrock plants get regular water. You should set the frequency of water so they will grow well.
Regular watering will keep your plants well hydrated during the growing season. Shamrock plants need slightly moist soil because they can’t withstand drought.
You should never leave the soil to dry out completely. You can use your finger to check the water level in the soil. If you feel the soil is 1-inch dry then it is the time to water your plants.
As you are growing your shamrock plants indoors then your plants need less water because of slow evaporation. So you should be careful and avoid overwatering because it will result in root rot. In the winter season, plants need less water so you should water them twice a week.
4- Temperature And Humidity
A warm and stable temperature is required for growing shamrock plants indoors. The suitable temperature for growing shamrock plants is between 16 degrees centigrade to 24 degrees centigrade or 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
The false shamrock is an ideal indoor plant because it can adjust an average indoor temperature. The best night temperature is 50 degrees Fahrenheit or 10 degrees centigrade.
In the same way, the humid level should be moderate for growing shamrock plants. High humidity and temperature will slow down the production of flowering. You can keep a wet pebble tray under the pots to maintain the humidity level.
5- Fertilizer
During the growing season, your false shamrock plant needs to be fertilized. A liquid fertilizer or slow-release fertilizer is good for the shamrock plant.
You should apply fertilizer to shamrock plants every few months so they thrive well. It is recommended that you should use fertilizer every 4 to 6 months. More use of fertilizers can burn the foliage.
If you want to encourage the growth of your plants then you can add compost into the soil of your pot. Compost will make your soil richer.
6- Pruning And Repotting
Whenever you see the dead foliage pinch it from your plant. Pruning is the key to a healthy plant so you should do it regularly to encourage the development of your plant.
Your plant thrives well when you discard the dead branches and leaves from your plant. The other advantage of pruning is that you can keep the size of the plant according to your desire.
According to the size of the plant, you should report it in a larger container or pot. If you see the size of the roots has grown then you should move it to two larger containers.
If you want to divide a false shamrock plant to propagate it then after the division process you can reuse the same container or pot. The reason for reusing the same container is that the size of the plant after division remains the same.
Dormancy Period
False shamrock plants have a dormancy period just like other bulb-type plants. This is the time when your plant needs a rest. The dormancy period starts after the spring and summer growing season or your plant can choose the time.
If the temperature becomes too high then it is possible that your plant can temporarily go into dormancy. The temperature at which dormancy can start is above 80 degrees Fahrenheit or 27 degrees centigrade.
This may happen if your plant is not getting enough water and the soil becomes too dry for a long time. You can easily notice it when the leaves stop opening in daylight.
When you see the foliage start turning brown then you should stop watering and feeding the plant. When the foliage dries then you should remove it from the plant and weight for the next growing period.
After a few weeks, you will see the new growth will start. Now, this is the time you can start watering and feeding again.
Toxicity And Pets
If you have pets like dogs and cats then you should be careful because false shamrock plants contain soluble calcium oxalate. It is also harmful to humans.
All the parts of the plant are toxic but the bulb is the most poisonous part. This plant has a very bitter taste so you should be careful because serious ingestion can cause kidney failure. Keep away this plant from your kids and pets.
Pests, Diseases, And Other Problems
As it is mentioned above, a false shamrock plant needs little maintenance, which means it is disease resistant. But in some cases, the growth of the plant can be disturbed and become the victim of any disease.
For instance, overwatering can cause root rot and damage your plant. If you see the bulbs of shamrock plants start turning black and mushy, it means it is affected by root rot. Sooner or later your plant will die due to it. Soggy soil is the reason for many problems so you should avoid overwatering.
Fungal infections such as powdery mildew and rust can damage your plant. Excessive humidity and insufficient light are the reasons for these infections.
If you see white patches on your plant, this is a clear symptom that your plant is affected by powdery mildew. Yellow spots on the leaves with a white substance show that your plant is affected by rust.
These problems can be solved by keeping your pet in a brighter spot. The other solution to this problem is using organic fungicide.
Spider might and mealybug are the pests that can affect your plant. In case of invasion of these tiny monsters, you can use insecticidal soap and neem oil to get rid of these pests.
Top Varieties Of False Shamrock For Growing Indoors
The following are the varieties of false shamrock that can easily grow indoors. You can choose one for your pot according to your choice.
1- FANNY
This is one of the classic-looking varieties. This variety has green leaves with silver margins. The light purple flowers will give a great look and inviting contrast in any place.
2- IRON CROSS
This variety has four heart-shaped green leaves. The leaves have a deep purple center that makes them very attractive. The flowers of this variety are rosy pink with a yellow center.
3- MOLTEN LAVA
This variety produces bright yellow delicate flowers. Flowers of this variety will add beauty to your area. It is better to place your pot of molten lava in a rich bright light.
4- SILVER SHAMROCK
The leaves of this variety are so magnificent because of their silvery grey color. The color of flowers of this variety is white which looks very stunning and attractive.
5- TRIANGULARIS
This variety is perfect for growing indoors because of its stunning and striking foliage. The color of the leaves is burgundy on both sides, unlike other species.
6- ZINFANDEL
The color of the stem and the leaves is purple of this variety. The bright yellow golden flowers make it perfect for indoor gardening.