False shamrock
Oxalis triangularis
Also called Purple shamrock and Love plant
Houseplant · FloweringIt folds shut at night like an umbrella. If it dies back entirely, stop watering and wait — it returns.
Care at a glance
- Ease
- Medium
- Water
- Once a weekDrench and drain — water the whole surface until it runs from the holes.
- Light
- Bright indirect
- Feed
- Every 30 days
- Humidity
- Average
- Hardiness
- Half-hardy — a light frost RHS H3, to -5°C
- Size
- 0.3 m tall · 0.3 m across
- Lifecycle
- Bulb
- Origin
- Brazil
Is it safe for pets and people?
PetsToxic to pets
Affects dogs, cats, horses. Signs: kidney failure (rare in dogs and cats), tremors and drooling.
PeopleHarmful if eaten
Checked against ASPCA and RHS on 2026-07-31.
A guide, not veterinary or medical advice. If a pet or a person has eaten a plant and you are worried, call your vet or doctor now — don’t wait for signs to appear. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
First signs of trouble
- The whole clump collapses to bare compost in high summer while the pot is still damp — the tubers are resting, and watering on is what actually rots them.Dormancy mistaken for death · disorder