Oxalis pennelliana Plant Care

Oxalis pennelliana R.Knuth

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Oxalis pennelliana is a species of plant in the family Oxalidaceae. It is endemic to Ecuador.

🪴Houseplants🧅Bulbs & Tubers
Water

Every 4–7 days

Light

Bright indirect light

Temp

60–75°F

Humidity

40–60%

At a glance

How do you care for Oxalis pennelliana?

Plant Oxalis pennelliana in bright indirect light (USDA zones 13a) and water a young shrub every 4–7 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 60–75°F (16–24°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.

Where Is the Oxalis pennelliana Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Oxalis pennelliana?

Oxalis pennelliana (Oxalis pennelliana) belongs to the Oxalidaceae family within the Oxalis genus. Oxalis pennelliana is native to Ecuador.

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

Leaf size: approximately 1.5 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Oxalis pennelliana?

Water a young or newly planted Oxalis pennelliana 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.

Watering Frequency

Every 4–7 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Oxalis pennelliana Need?

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

Light Requirement

Bright indirect light

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Oxalis pennelliana Prefer?

Oxalis pennelliana tolerates temperatures of 60–75°F. Oxalis pennelliana prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Temperature

60–75°F

Humidity

40–60%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Oxalis pennelliana?

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

How Often Should You Fertilize a Oxalis pennelliana?

Feed Oxalis pennelliana 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.

Fertilizing

Every 6 months

During the growing season

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

Where Should You Plant a Oxalis pennelliana?

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.

Oxalis pennelliana is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

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.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Oxalis pennelliana?

Oxalis pennelliana 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.

How Do You Prune a Oxalis pennelliana?

Prune Oxalis pennelliana 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.

How Do You Care for a Oxalis pennelliana in Winter?

Oxalis pennelliana is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

How Do You Propagate a Oxalis pennelliana?

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

Is the Oxalis pennelliana Toxic to Pets and Children?

Toxic (caution)

Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.

This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.

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

What Pests and Diseases Affect the Oxalis pennelliana?

Oxalis pennelliana 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.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Oxalis pennelliana Need?

Oxalis pennelliana grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Oxalis pennelliana is native to Ecuador. In cooler regions, grow Oxalis pennelliana as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 13a

Keep exploring plants

Oxalis pennelliana is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.

It belongs to the Oxalis genus — compare its care with other Oxalis species on PlantoScan.

Oxalis is part of the Oxalidaceae plant family — browse all Oxalidaceae genera and species.

Oxalis pennelliana thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Oxalis Species

Other Oxalis species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Oxalis pennelliana R.Knuth, family Oxalidaceae (first published in Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 23: 144 (1926)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Oxalis pennelliana is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
  • Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.

Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.

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