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Oxalis debilis

largeflower pink-sorrel

Oxalidaceae South America

Attracts Pollinators Container Friendly

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 7–10

Overview

Oxalis debilis is a low, clump-forming perennial 4-12 inches (10-30 cm) tall, growing from a central bulb that produces numerous small bulbils around its base. It has no upright stem; leaves and flower stalks rise directly from the bulb. The clover-like leaves are divided into three broad, heart-shaped leaflets 1-2.5 inches (2.5-6 cm) wide, often dotted with small orange calluses along the margins beneath. Loose clusters of 5-12 pink to rose-purple flowers, each 0.5-0.8 inch (1.3-2 cm) across with a greenish-yellow throat, open above the foliage from late spring through fall. The leaflets and flowers fold closed at night and in deep shade. The plant rarely sets viable seed in cultivation and instead spreads almost entirely by the many detachable bulbils, which scatter when soil is dug or moved. This makes established patches persistent and hard to remove, and the species is treated as a weed in mild climates worldwide. Foliage dies back in dry or cold periods and regrows from the bulb.

Native Range

Native to South America, from Brazil and Argentina northward, and widely naturalized in warm-temperate and subtropical regions around the world. Grows in gardens, lawns, nursery beds, shaded borders, and disturbed ground, mostly at low to middle elevations.

Suggested Uses

Grown as a low ornamental in shaded borders, containers, and rock gardens at 6-10 inch (15-25 cm) spacing for its pink flowers and clover-like foliage. The aggressive bulbil spread makes it hard to confine and a weed risk in mild climates. Container culture limits its escape into garden soil.

How to Identify

Recognized by three broad heart-shaped leaflets, often with tiny orange dots along the leaf margins beneath, and clusters of pink flowers with a greenish-yellow center. The plant grows from a scaly bulb surrounded by many bulbils, with no aboveground stem. Distinguished from yellow-flowered woodsorrels such as Oxalis stricta by its pink flowers and bulb habit.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height4" - 1'

Width/Spread6" - 1'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~22 weeks

Spring Summer Fall

Flowers from late spring through fall, mainly May to October, with the heaviest bloom in warm, moist weather. The pink flowers open in daylight and close at night, each lasting a few days. Bloom slows during summer drought and resumes after rain.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

pink to rose-purple

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 3-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand clay

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

1 year

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in partial shade to full sun on moist, well-drained soils and tolerates a range of garden conditions. It multiplies rapidly through bulbils, so a single bulb builds a dense patch within a season or two. Digging spreads it further by scattering the bulbils, which makes complete removal difficult. The foliage dies back in summer drought or winter cold and regrows from the bulb when conditions ease. It needs little water or feeding once established and is treated as a weed where it escapes cultivation.

Pruning

No pruning is required. Removing spent leaves and flower stalks tidies the clump but does not slow the spread, which comes from underground bulbils. Lifting the whole bulb mass before bulbils detach is the main way to limit its spread.