Palm Leaf Oxalis

Palm Leaf Oxalis Care

Oxalis palmifrons

What is the plant

Oxalis palmifrons is a species of flowering plant in the Oxalidaceae family. These plants are found throughout the world, except for the Polar Regions. It is highly valued in cooking because the plant's foliage is edible and tastes sour.

Oxalis palmifrons is a perennial plant with a dark brown bulb and short petioles, and the number of leaves on one petiole can reach 19 pieces. They are narrow and located on the leg in a wide fan and come in green, pink, and purple colors. The plant produces flowers with white or yellow petals, and the flowering time is from 3 weeks to 3 months. During this time, the plant releases inflorescences, where the new ones replace the fading ones.

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Humidity

Normal

Lighting

Part Sun

Temperature

12°C - 18°C

Hardiness zone

7b - 11

Difficulty

Medium

How to Care for the Plant

Water
Palm Leaf Oxalis loves frequent watering. Thus, moisten the soil as the top layer dries and do not allow stagnant water because the roots of the plant can become ill with excessive watering. With high air dryness, you can spray the flower, and after the end of the flowering period, reduce watering.
Pruning
Oxalis palmifrons does not need special pruning. You can remove dried leaves and branches as needed.
Fertilizer
Oxalis palmifrons loves top dressing. Apply mineral fertilizers from May to September about once a month, and stop fertilizing for the winter.

Disease diagnosis

Check your plant’s health

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Sunlight
To grow Oxalis palmifrons at home, you need to create conditions as close to natural as possible. It needs a lot of bright light, but it should be diffused. Also, do not allow the direct sun rays to fall on the foliage.
Soil
Drain the bottom of the container for planting with expanded clay or small pebbles. You can prepare the soil mix with a mixture of sand, leafy soil, and turf in equal proportions. Palm Leaf Oxalis loves light, loose soil.
Propagation
You can germinate Oxalis palmifrons from seeds. However, this reproduction method is rare since it is relatively long and ineffective. Therefore, it will be much more convenient to propagate the plant by daughter bulbs or tuber division.

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Temperature
In the warm season, the plant feels comfortably at an air temperature of 68-77 degrees Fahrenheit (20-25 Celsius). In winter, move it to a cooler place with a temperature of 54-64 (12-18) degrees. If it is not done, the flowering may not occur.
Container
The pot for Palm Leaf Oxalis needs to be wide so that you can plant several tubers or bulbs in one container — this way, you get a luxurious flowering bush. Lay some drainage at a pot's bottom, so that excess water doesn't stagnate in the plant's roots.
Fun fact
Powdered leaves of Oxalis palmifrons are used as an antidote for poisoning with mercury or arsenic.