Oxalis corniculata aka Creeping Wood Sorrel

Taxonomy

Oxalis corniculata, also known as the creeping woodsorrel, procumbent yellow sorrel, or sleeping beauty, is a delicate herbaceous plant in the Oxalidaceae family. Its narrow, creeping stem readily roots at nodes and has trifoliate leaves that resemble a clover in shape. Some varieties of this low-growing flowering plant have green leaves, while others, such as O. corniculata var. atropurpurea, have purple. Although popular as a houseplant, it is considered a weed in gardens and agricultural fields. Creeping Woodsorrel requires regular watering and does best in long-lasting, direct light, ideally less than 1 foot from a window.

Common names

Creeping Wood Sorrel, Procumbent Yellow Sorrel, Sleeping Beauty

How to care for Creeping Wood Sorrel

Difficulty

Even if you don't have a green thumb, you can successfully care for Creeping Wood Sorrel due to its easy-going nature.

Water

Creeping Wood Sorrel should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Creeping Wood Sorrel loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Creeping Wood Sorrel thrives in bright and direct sunlight. To ensure your plant receives enough light to survive, place it less than one foot from a window. The current weather in your area may affect the placement in your home. For example, if you live in a region that has longer and more intense periods of sunlight, then you may want to place the plant farther away from the window to avoid direct sunlight and reduce the risk of sunburn. Alternatively, if you live in a region with relatively milder temperatures and less intense sunlight, then you may be able to place the plant closer to the window for increased exposure. Ultimately, the current weather in your area should be taken into consideration when determining the best placement for your Sleeping Beauty.

Dormancy

During the wintertime, it's common for Creeping Wood Sorrel to go dormant and their growth may slow down, so waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

Creeping Wood Sorrel is poisonous if ingested. We suggest keeping this plant out of reach if you have children, cats, or dogs in the home.

Humidity

No additional humidity is required for the Creeping Wood Sorrel. Plants take in most of their water through their roots, not their leaves, therefore, watering the soil is the most effective way to supply humidity to your plants.

Fertilizer

The growth rate of Creeping Wood Sorrel is slow and it doesn't necessitate additional fertilizing. By changing the soil in its pot annually, the plant should be provided with adequate nutrition. It is crucial to keep in mind that plants derive their energy from the sun, not fertilizers.

Region of origin

Creeping Wood Sorrel’s native range is Worldwide.


More info:
Wikipedia