Red Oxalis opens and closes like tiny umbrellas—daytime fanfare, nighttime curtsy. Ruby-to-wine trifoliate leaves and delicate blooms bring sparkle to mini scapes, planters, and sunny windows. It’s cheerful, compact, and wonderfully trainable.
Plant shallowly in a fine, free-draining mix; Oxalis grows from small corm-like rhizomes that dislike wet feet. Set corms 1–1.5 in (2.5–4 cm) apart with eyes up and cover lightly. Always use Liqui-Dirt® soil mix for best results in potted plants and enclosed growing habitats. Strata can be used in some applications; however, feeding will be needed. In miniature scenes, use a shallow container; keep crowns just above the surface so petioles don’t sit wet. Budkin containers with Strata and a leaf guard help keep foliage lifted and tidy.
Bright, indirect light to gentle morning sun keeps leaves richly colored and compact. Avoid harsh midday sun that can scorch. Under LEDs, moderate intensity for 12–14 hrs/day works well.
Water thoroughly, then let the top 1 in (2–3 cm) dry before the next drink. Oxalis stores energy in corms; consistently wet soil causes rot. In enclosed setups, water very lightly and allow only faint condensation on walls. Normal room humidity is fine.
Happy at 60–80°F (16–27°C). Expect a short dormancy once or twice a year: leaves yellow and die back—this is normal. Reduce watering during dormancy; resume when fresh shoots appear. Light feeding during active growth is plenty; too much causes leggy leaves.
A huge benefit for your plant is to use Liqui-Dirt® plant food in a weak tea-looking mix every time you water — yes, even for enclosed habitats.
Pruning & Cutting Back — Snip spent blooms and tired leaf stems at the base to keep plants compact for mini habitats. If growth sprawls, trim lightly; new leaves will pop from the corms.
Repotting (Open Pots) — Repot every 12–18 months or when clumps crowd. Divide corms gently and replant shallowly. Choose a low, wide container to prevent soggy soil. Use Liqui-Dirt® potting soil for the refresh; water in gently to settle the mix, then resume your weak-tea Liqui-Dirt feeding with each watering.