Oxalis triangularis - butterflies on the window

The name of this flower quite accurately speaks about its main features - its leaves have a regular geometric shape, and due to the presence of oxalic acid, they have a sour taste. Oxalis triangularis is one of the most common representatives of the large family (about 800 species) of wood sorrel (Oxalis) in our latitudes.

Oxalis triangularis is a low plant, its height is approximately 25-30 centimeters. This allows you to grow it at home without any problems. Oxalis flowers are small, bell-shaped, collected in umbrella-shaped inflorescences, and although they are cute, they are not the main decorative value.

The leaves of Triangular Oxalis are trifoliate, strongly reminiscent of a moth, very delicate and airy purple in color with a lighter spot in the form of a tick in the middle. And in the evening, during a drought or before rain, the sorrel “falls asleep” and the leaves fold, like the wings of a butterfly.

If you don’t have a lot of light at home, then sorrel is ideal for you, because it is a shade-tolerant plant. It is best to place it on east or west windows. If your windows have a southern orientation, you will need to create shading. If the room is not only light, but also very hot, then the sorrel needs to be watered more often, but increasing the humidity level by spraying is not recommended. Triangular sorrel feels most comfortable in pots with drainage made of expanded clay or small foam.In winter, Triangular Oxalis, like many indoor plants, is rarely watered, but care must be taken to ensure that the soil does not dry out.

An interesting feature of Triangular Oxalis is the ability to time its flowering to coincide with a predetermined date, since tubers can be planted at any time.