Question
A dear friend of mine sent me three small newly grown shamrock plants each in their own zip lock baggie with about a handful of their potting soil still around their small roots. However, they took 14 days to get here. They are obviously wilted and were somehwat battered from their travel and all mixed in with the potting soil(one of the 4" teracotta pots included in the pacckage was broken despite good packing materials).

My question is, is there any way to bring these back to life or do you think they are a lost cause? I hate to break the news to her. It was such a sweet thought! I am sure she just didn't realize that they could take so long to get here.

I will anxiously await your response.

In the meantime, I have opened the baggies and drizzled a little water in them and left them out on the window sill, but it is hard to tell up from down and I just don't know what to do. I may email the other houseplant person on this site too, just in hopes of getting an answer asap.

Thanks so much!

Liza

Answer
Liza,

Just get a new pot for the broken one and replant it and the others. Shamrocks are growing from small bulbs. Replant them set them in a window where they will get sun most of the day and water them then empty the excess water out of the drain tray so they are not sitting in standing water and they will all regrow just fine. Below are care instructions from Iowa State University:

Common Shamrock Plants
The "shamrock" that St. Patrick actually plucked was most likely white clover (Trifolium repens) and is difficult to grow indoors. Because of this, the shamrock plants that are seen in grocery stores and floral shops this time of year are species of oxalis or wood sorrel.

Oxalis leaves are clover shaped and can be shades of green, red, purple, or a combination of all these colors in one striking plant. The oxalis blossoms are white, yellow, pink or red depending on the species. There are hundreds of species of oxalis, but two that are commonly grown for indoor enjoyment are the Irish shamrock (Oxalis acetosella) and the good-luck plant (Oxalis deppei). Both have green leaves and small white or red blossoms, but the good-luck plant has white streaks running along the leaf vein. Both of these species exhibit nyctinstic movements, meaning the leaflets fold up at night or during overcast days and open during daylight hours. When selecting an oxalis, look for a plant with flowers and lush, healthy foliage.

How to Care For Shamrock Plants
Shamrock plants require direct sun for best growth and flowering. Oxalis plants usually bloom all winter if placed in a bright sunny window. These plants prefer soil that is kept barely moist and will do fine if the soil dries slightly between watering. Oxalis plants should be fertilized only when the plant is actively growing. Shamrock plants like cooler temperatures, especially when in bloom. These temperatures should be between 50-65 degrees F at night, and no greater than 75 degrees F during the day. Temperatures above 75 degrees F may induce dormancy.

In the summer months, wood sorrels should be allowed to rest or go dormant. The first sign that a plant is entering dormancy is leaf dieback. If this begins to occur, stop watering and fertilizing the plant. The leaves can be cut back or allowed to die back on their own and the plant should be moved to a cool, dark place for two to three months. At the end of the dormant period, new foliage will begin emerging from the soil. This is a signal to move the plant to a sunny window and to begin watering and fertilization.

Problems and Solutions
If the oxalis plant is tall and lanky, it needs more light or may also occur if the conditions in the home are too warm. If your plant is not blooming, it probably needs a good rest. Cut back on watering and fertilizing and let it go dormant. In two or three months, the plant will begin to grow again and should flower if it receives good care. A yellowing plant may be a sign you are watering it too much. Too little water and your plant will wilt. Shamrock plants are usually not bothered by insect pest, but are susceptible to root rot if kept too wet.

Good luck with this charming plant. If cared for properly, oxalis can be a part of your plant family for years to come.



If you have more questions feel free to write again. Good luck.

Darlene