When it comes to Oxalis, three is often the magic number. Oxalis Triangularis, often known as False Shamrock, Purple Shamrock, and Love Plant, is the most common species grown as a houseplant.
A drooping Oxalis Triangularis is most likely due to lack of water. Although sometimes it’s caused by lack of proper lighting, pest assaults, or bad potting mix. Yellow or brown drooping leaves are a sign the plant will die without a quick remedy. Analyze carefully before trying a cure. All you need to know is in this article.
Reasons Why is Oxalis Triangularis Drooping?
Due to their dormancy periods, it’s common to see Oxalis plants drooping as the growing season draws to a close. If this is the case, all you must do now is make sure the plant has all it requires, and it will recover once the dormancy period is now over.
Hold off on the water until the leaves have died back, then water as needed.
You can begin increasing the watering frequency once the plant begins to show signs of new growth, and the plant should be OK.
If dormancy is not the cause, the droop is most likely due to a lack of water, and you should investigate whether the plant is getting enough moisture.
However, in certain situations, the droop is caused by a lack of proper lighting, pest assaults, or a bad potting mix. Drooping leaves are usually yellow or brown, indicating that the plant is about to die if you don’t act quickly.
So, what are your options? To begin, we must analyze all potential reasons for drooping and consider what we may do to prevent it in the future.
Watering Techniques Aren’t Working
It may appear strange, yet most plants are affected by either too much or too little water. Gardeners often struggle to strike a balance between the two, which could be why your plant isn’t flourishing so well.
In general, your Oxalis Triangularis should thrive in damp soil and prefers it. You should not, however, drown the plant.
Instead, wait until the top two layers of the soil are completely dry before watering the plant. Allow the soil to dry between watering, but not to the point that it is unable to transport nutrients to the plant.
It takes time to achieve this balance, but you can always rely on a moisture monitor in the interim.
Lighting Issues
How much light does your plant have access to? It’s all too tempting to tuck this lovely plant away in the corner, forgotten and alone, and expect it to bloom as it would in the wild.
This, however, just hinders its growth, and you’ll see that it not only droops but also stunts. If the problems are not addressed quickly, the Oxalis Triangularis plant may perish.
The ideal option is to place the plant in indirect sunlight, such as near a window, with curtains or sheers in place to keep the leaves out of direct sunlight.
But keep in mind that too much light can be just as terrible as not enough, and it can even burn your plants.
Potting Soil Isn’t Good
Have you ever considered that drooping leaves could be caused by the potting mix you use? Consider that for a moment.
Even if you have the watering down to a science, the perfect location, and everything else in place, the plant will still be sick.
In this scenario, you would want to investigate the drainage and nutrient profile of the potting mix. The first one should be your starting point. It’s possible that the soil drains so quickly that the plant’s roots are hardly able to absorb adequate water.
It would necessitate more frequent watering, and even then, the water would be of little benefit to the plant.
The second factor is the number of nutrients in the soil and whether or not the pH level is optimal. Anywhere between 6.1 and 6.5 is ideal, and you should aim to stay within this range.
The plant should also have access to a variety of nutrients. Use a moderate fertilizer to increase the nutrient profile if the soil appears to be lacking in nutrients.
It’s important to note that you shouldn’t put a ready-to-pour fertilizer in your soil until it’s completely soaked, as this can burn the roots.
The damage can sometimes be severe enough to kill the plant. You can avoid this headache by using half of the fertilizer’s recommended amount. Make a moderate homemade fertilizer instead.
Pests
You should keep an eye out for pests that are causing havoc on the plant’s leaves. Other issues generally take precedence over insect problems, so save this for last.
Vine weevils, blackflies, spider mites, mealybugs, root mealybugs, thrips, and aphids are some of the most prevalent pests of Oxalis plants.
On the other hand, vine weevils and root mealybugs, dig into the soil and live on the undersides of leaves. If you’ve already detected an infestation, purchase a pesticide, or prepare your own with household items.
If pests haven’t yet attacked your plant, take preventative measures like spraying it with a solution of water and a mild detergent once a month.
Repotting
As it is in shock, your Oxalis Triangularis is drooping after repotting. This can happen if it was re-potted right before blooming season, or if the repotting soil isn’t very close to the old soil it was used to.
Repotting Oxalis Triangularis is usually not necessary, and it can be done every few years. However, if you do it incorrectly, it may begin to droop and appear unkempt.
This can occur for a variety of reasons. The most common cause is incorrectly timed repotting.
Because Oxalis Triangularis is especially susceptible to repotting shock just before the flowering season, you should avoid doing it in the spring.
Another factor that contributes to transplant shock is the new soil’s makeup.
All plants are sensitive to unexpected changes in soil composition, thus the soil in new pots must closely resemble the soil in old ones.
How to Revive a Drooping Oxalis Triangularis?
Many oxalises go through a time of dormancy, and if this is the cause of your plant’s drooping, you have a few options.
Many folks who were not expecting this time of dormancy believe they killed their Oxalis Triangularis by doing something wrong. However, this is not the case, and your plant will recover.
Let Your Oxalis Triangularis to Naturally Come Out of Dormancy
Allowing nature to take its course is the quickest approach to bring your Oxalis Triangularis back to life if it has gone dormant. Reduce the amount of water you give it until all the foliage has died back.
Allow the old leaves to become brown and the soil to stay somewhat dry until you see the first signs of new growth after a few weeks.
When new growth starts, gradually increase the amount of water it receives until it resumes regular growth.
When the conditions are favorable, new shoots will emerge from the ground, bringing your Oxalis Triangularis back to life.
Force Your Oxalis Triangularis to Come Out of Dormancy
Cutting all the dried leaves and moving your Oxalis Triangularis to a cold dark spot where temps are above freezing is a faster method. You should leave it there without water for three to six weeks.
Then you may bring it back inside and place it in a sunny spot. You should begin watering it on an as-needed basis until new growth occurs, after which you can gradually return to a regular watering regimen.
Reviving a Drooping Oxalis Triangularis Due to Incorrect Watering
Your Oxalis Triangularis may also be drooping because of being stepped on or submerged. If this is the case, you must first determine if the problem is of overwatering or underwatering.
The first step is to determine the moisture content of the soil. Oxalis Triangularis are like somewhat damp circumstances and should be watered once every two weeks.
Using your finger, test the top 2 inches of soil to see if it’s too dry or too damp. Only around the top 2 to 5cm of soil should be allowed to dry between watering.
If the earth seems excessively dry below 1 inch in depth, your plant may not be getting enough water. If this is the case, you should water your Oxalis Triangularis.
When you inspect the soil underneath an inch and it feels rather moist, you may have been overwatering your plant. If this is the case,
In that case, you must wait at least a week for the top inch or two of soil to completely dry before watering it again. If your Oxalis Triangularis is drooping due to a lack of water, make the necessary alterations and properly hydrate your plant.
More About This Shamrock Plant
Oxalis Triangularis is a shamrock plant that produces a variety of attractive flowers in a variety of brilliant and deep hues.
It features three symmetrically positioned purple heart-shaped leaves with three sides on each petiole, as is the norm (or “stem”). They end up appearing like a trio of butterflies with their noses linked together.
Other species have a similar form, although their leaves are usually green.
Lack of water is the most prevalent cause of a drooping Oxalis Triangularis plant. Conversely, the leaves of this Shamrock plant, can wilt due to a lack of light, pest assaults, or poor soil.
So, they are prone to droopiness for a variety of causes. Brown or yellow leaves may accompany this drooping
These plants are extremely resilient and easy to grow, unless something unexpected happens, or you misjudge the situation.
Either way, if you act quickly, you can probably save the plant (and the day) and your lovely plant will become health and happy once again.
Final Thoughts
If you’re new to pot plants and something doesn’t seem right. Stay calm, get a proper overview of the situation, and find the right treatment to save your plant. You’ll be glad you did!
Jennie Marie
Tribal Writer
Edited By
Patricia Godwin
