Oxalis Tetraphylla - Iron Cross

Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day! Similar to our other holiday offering (Oxalis Triangularis) the Oxalis Tetraphylla is noninvasive and instead has four leaves if you need that extra boost of luck for the coming Spring! Each set of leaves contain purple patches in the middle that resemble a cross and when it blooms the flowers are a bright pink. Like it’s cousin the leaves fold downward at night, opening again in the morning to greet the sun. This plant can tolerate full sun to partial shade, just be sure to increase your watering frequency the more light it receives 

Ed's Plant Profile

• Scientific Name: Oxalis Tetraphylla syn. O. Deppei
• Common Name: Iron Cross, Good Luck Plant
• Family: Oxalidaceae 
• Native Range: Mexico

Ed's Care Guide

• Light: Prefers bright indirect light, tolerates partial shade 
• Water: Water once the top inch of soil is dry, water less in winter as they go dormant 
• Soil: Use a well draining potting mix
• Humidity: Standard room humidity 
• Temperature: 60-80F
• Pruning: Prune as needed to remove brown or dead leaves and control growth.
• Feeding:  Apply a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer biweekly as needed and reduce frequency in winter.
• Propagation: Division
• Growth: Creeping
• Pests: Few pest problems but look out for aphids. Place outside to attract butterflies!
• Toxicity: Edible for humans, the leaves have an acidic taste