Odd Behavior from Oxalis

I have an Oxalis 'Silver and Gold' plant. It spent all fall and early winter doing nothing. Had nice shapely leaves that didn't fade, droop, fall, or grow. It just sat there. I followed normal Oxalis care and kept it almost bone dry between deep waterings. I keep it on a north windowsill (don't ask; I only HAVE north windowsills in this house). It gets 10-10-10 fert about once a month, in a very low concentration.

Suddenly, about four weeks ago, it started sending up new growth. All normal so far. But then the existing leaves started yellowing and falling off. I backed off even more on the water, since yellowing leaves are a sign of overwatering. No difference -- it kept sending up new leaves on top, and dropping the existing leaves underneath.

The plant went from a nice bushy sort of thing to a twiggy airy thing, and I was worried something was drastically wrong -- until last night I noticed flower buds forming. It's getting ready to put out about fifteen flowers. At the same time, the lowermost leaves continue to yellow and fall off.

Is this normal? I'm looking forward to the blooms, but all the online photos I've seen show a lovely mass of green leaves surmounted by a small yellow flowers. I'm going to end up with a spray of twigs and flowers.

Wow, I just found that one in Plant Files ... beautiful plant but I don't know what the problem could be with your foliage unless it's too much water or possibly too much fertilizer.

Normal for this one, in my experience.

I've attempted to grow this one twice now - both times it died after flowering.
I even kept the pot on the windowsill and continued to care for it, in hopes that it was simply dormant - no luck.

I'm sure (and I do hope!) that someone out there has grown it successfully for longer than I have!

Oxalis has trouble surviving long term inside. Mine has always managed to survive the winter but does exactly what you described, which is normal. During the summer, I put it out on my porch where it gets bright indirect light but not direct sun and it gets just beautiful. If you have a place outside where you could do this with yours, I'd highly recommend you try it. Also, if you have a shady place somewhere in your yard (assuming you don't live in an apartment) dig out a little piece and plant it outside. They really thrive outdoors. They die back in the winter but come back bigger and better every spring. This assures that even if your houseplant dies, you will have a backup in your yard.

Hi, NatureLover.

Thanks for the info. I have a covered patio (right on the other side of the plant's window, actually). There are several spots on it that are brighter than inside on the windowsill, but never actually see a direct sunray.

Should I wait to try that until after it's bloomed? The flower buds are twice as big as yesterday. I don't want to shock the plant and have the buds drop.

I have some shady spots where I could plant a cutting outside. Some get a few hours of morning sun, which may be weak enough for the oxalis. The instructions that came with the plant said it wasn't hardy in my zone (8a).

I have Oxalis, but not the one in your photo. Mine is the purple leafed in a couple of planters on my deck (outside year round) and they do go dormant but always seem to re-appear and re-bloom. We had such a mild winter this year that they weren't dormant for long at all.

Hi DallasDad,
Personally, I would probably let it bloom for a while first. I don't know about over there where you are but we're still occasionally getting some pretty cool nights (frosted the last two nights) here and that probably would shock it. I'd wait until the temps have moderated and then move it out. As far as not being hardy in your zone, I can't say for sure, but I don't think you're that much different than we are and I can only say it has thrived very well outside for me here in my zone. If you have enough to take a small piece to plant outside it can't hurt. You might lose it but I just don't think you will as long as it's in shade--they don't like blazing hot sun. Good luck.

I think I'll get the cutting established indoors first, just to be safe. I'll go look up what kind of propgation method is best for Oxalis. If it's division, I'll definitely wait until the inflorescence is over. Don't want to disturb the roots while it's busy flowering.

Thanks for your advice.

Follow-up:

For the past month, the oxalis has been outside on the covered patio. It lurks underneath another plant that needs a little bit of direct sun. The leaves and pot of the other plant keep the oxalis from receiving any direct rays, but it gets plenty of strong light. I water the oxalis only when the soil is almost completely dry (been averaging every three-five days so far).

Lots of new leaf growth. The plant has almost doubled in bulk, and the new leaves are shiny and healthy-looking. No real change in height, although a few stems have elongated.

The plant flowers almost continuously. The flowers are small, delicate, yellow, and only last a day or two at a time. I get anywhere from three to fifteen flowers at a time. The buds appear, grow for a day or two, then open overnight and stick around for another day or two. The plant seems to want to rest after that, but shortly thereafter repeats the trick.

If I had a bright indoor windowsill for it, it would probably do just as well indoors, where the flowers would be more visible (and perhaps last longer). Alas, all my windowsills are the north side, and don't provide enough light.