Violet Wood Sorrel (Oxalis violacea)

Violet woodsorrel is known for its charming violet flowers and clover-like foliage. This plant thrives in rich, well-draining soil and requires moderate watering, allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings. A special care point for violet woodsorrel is to provide it with partial to full sunlight, although it appreciates some shade during the hottest part of the day. Violet woodsorrel is generally considered low-maintenance, making it an easy-care choice for gardeners.

I. Appearance and Characteristics 

Oxalis violacea, the violet wood-sorrel, is a perennial plant and herb in the family Oxalidaceae. It is native to the eastern and central United States.

The genus name, Oxalis, is from the Greek word oxys, which means “sharp” and refers to the sharp or sour taste from the oxalic acid present in the plant. The specific epithet, violacea, is Latin for violet-colored.

Oxalis violacea emerges in early spring from an underground bulb and produces leaf stems 7–13 cm (2+3⁄4–5 in) tall and flower umbels, or clusters, with up to 19 flowers on stems 9–23 cm (3+1⁄2–9 in) tall. The three-part leaves have heart-shaped leaflets. The plant is similar in appearance to small clovers such as the shamrock.

The plant bears lavender to white flowers 1–2 cm (1⁄2–3⁄4 in) wide with white to pale green centers above the foliage, during April or May, rarely to July, and, with rain, sometimes produces additional flowers without leaves from August to October.

II. How to Grow and Care

Sunlight

Violet woodsorrel needs medium bright sunlight and should be kept away from the direct bright sun. They enjoy the morning light, so a window facing the rising sun would be a perfect spot as the glass will filter most of the harmful light and it will be protected from the intense midday sun. For perfect results, you can even rotate your plant so the flowers would follow the moving sun every couple of weeks. If grown in a garden, partial shade is recommended. Keep in mind that violet woodsorrel has a lot of species and cultivars and you should consider the exposure to the sun when choosing your violet woodsorrel species.

Temperature

Violet woodsorrel needs medium bright sunlight and should be kept away from the direct bright sun. They enjoy the morning light, so a window facing the rising sun would be a perfect spot as the glass will filter most of the harmful light and it will be protected from the intense midday sun. For perfect results, you can even rotate your plant so the flowers would follow the moving sun every couple of weeks. If grown in a garden, partial shade is recommended. Keep in mind that violet woodsorrel has a lot of species and cultivars and you should consider the exposure to the sun when choosing your violet woodsorrel species.

Watering

Violet wood sorrel should be watered frequently but lightly to keep the soil consistently moist. During the growing season, water plants deeply once every 7 to 10 days, or more often if the soil becomes dry, to a level of 4 to 6 inches deep from the surface. In times of extreme heat and drought, plants may need supplemental watering to prevent wilting.

When temperatures cool in the late fall, reduce the frequency of watering incrementally until you reach once a month or less in the winter. This allows the plant to go dormant while preventing it from drying out completely. Use care when watering to avoid wetting the foliage as moisture on the leaves may cause leaf spot and fungal problems.

Soil

Violet woodsorrel can be sensitive to overwatering as soggy soil can promote the bulb root rot. This means that you should check for drainage in your garden before you choose your planting site and if you plan on growing them potted indoors, make sure that your container can be drained from the excess of water. Violet woodsorrel requires neutral to slightly acidic soil (pH 6.0-6.5). Regarding the soil type, violet woodsorrel is not too specific, so a well-drained, store-bought potting mix will work just fine.

Fertilizing

For violet woodsorrel, a balanced fertilizer (like 10-10-10) is ideal for routine care, while high-phosphorus options benefit flowering. Fertilize monthly in the growing season, reducing to bi-monthly in winter. Use half the recommended dosage to prevent root burn. Enhanced fertilization fosters robust growth and vivid blooms. Avoid over-fertilizing; observe violet woodsorrel’s response and adjust accordingly. Practical tip: Apply after watering to aid nutrient absorption and mitigate root shock.

Pruning

Violet Wood Sorrel should be pruned during the late winter or early spring when the plant is dormant. Pruning should be light in order to remove any dead, diseased, or damaged leaves, stems, or roots. To encourage a bushier appearance and promote new growth, pruning should be done to remove 1-third of the plant’s stem and leaf material, focusing especially on the oldest, woodiest stems. This will allow more light to reach the inner sections of the plant and help to prevent the addition of too much fertilizer. Pruning should be done with sharp, clean clippers for the best results.

Propagation

Violet woodsorrel is a perennial herb that thrives in a variety of garden environments, particularly appreciating partial shade. It multiplies easily through division, a method which gardeners often use to manage its spread and encourage more plants. To propagate, simply divide the rhizomes—taking care to include several leaf nodes within each segment—and replant them at the same soil depth. The novices may find this technique quite forgiving, as violet woodsorrel is resilient and quickly establishes in suitable conditions, promoting a garden filled with its distinctive clover-like foliage and charming lavender flowers.

Transplanting

The best season to transplant violet woodsorrel is indeed during the late winter to early spring (or S2-S3), as these cooler conditions can help the plant to get settled before warm growing season. Ensure violet woodsorrel is positioned in well-drained soil, preferably somewhere with partial to full sun. It’s advisable to water thoroughly after transplantation to facilitate root development.

III. Uses and Benefits 

• Ornamental uses

Oxalis violacea is cultivated as an ornamental plant, for use as a flowering groundcover or perennial plant in traditional and native plant gardens, and for natural landscaping projects.

• Medicinal uses

Oxalis violacea was used as a medicinal plant by Native Americans, including the Cherokee and Pawnee peoples.

• Culinary uses

All parts of the plant are edible – flowers, leaves, stems, and bulb. Oxalis is from the Greek word meaning sour, and this plant has a sour juice. It is used in salads. Moderate use of the plant is advisable, as it should not be eaten in large quantities due to a high concentration of oxalic acid, (“salt of lemons”) which can be poisonous.

It was a traditional food source of the Native American Apache, Cherokee, Omaha, Pawnee, and Ponca peoples.