Slender Wood Sorrel Plant Care

Slender Wood Sorrel (Oxalis exilis) belongs to the Oxalidaceae family within the Oxalis genus. Slender Wood Sorrel is native to Australia and New Zealand.

Slender Wood Sorrel displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Slender Wood Sorrel produces small, funnel-shaped flowers in various colors like pink, white, or yellow.

Leaf size: approximately 1.5 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Slender Wood Sorrel every 4–7 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Slender Wood Sorrel thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Slender Wood Sorrel in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Oxalis exilis tolerates temperatures of 60–75°F. Slender Wood Sorrel prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Well-draining, slightly acidic soil mix with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Good drainage is essential for Slender Wood Sorrel to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Slender Wood Sorrel every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with bright indirect light and well-draining, slightly acidic soil mix with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Slender Wood Sorrel is suited to USDA Zone 8a – 10b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Slender Wood Sorrel can spread to about 1 ft (0.3 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 1 ft (0.3 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Slender Wood Sorrel while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Slender Wood Sorrel is hardy down to USDA zone 8a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown shrubs need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Slender Wood Sorrel can be propagated through division, seeds, bulbils. Similar propagation techniques also apply to false shamrock plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Slender Wood Sorrel is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Slender Wood Sorrel grows outdoors in USDA Zone 8a – 10b. It survives winters down to planting zone 8a. Slender Wood Sorrel is native to Australia and New Zealand.