Oxalis Versicolor

Oxalis versicolor, often called the "Candy cane sorrel" is a little gem that brings a splash of cheer to your garden borders, pots, or rockeries. This compact beauty grows to a neat height of 10-15 cm (4-6 inches) and boasts charming clover-like foliage. However, it’s the flowers that truly steal the show. The buds, with their striking red and white stripes, resemble peppermint sweets. As they unfurl on sunny days, they reveal pristine white petals inside – a simple but delightful transformation that adds personality to your planting scheme.

This oxalis thrives in well-drained soil, requiring very little pampering to perform well. Once planted in spring, the bulbs settle quickly and, with just a little sunlight, start putting on their show from late summer into early autumn. It’s a brilliant choice for gardeners looking to keep their outdoor spaces vibrant long after the summer heat has passed.

A Rarely Mentioned Secret:
What makes Oxalis versicolor extra special is its interactive nature. The flowers close up in the evening or on cloudy days, forming those candy-striped buds again, almost as if they’re tucking themselves in for the night. This behaviour makes them a plant you’ll find yourself checking on – a small daily joy in the garden.

Unlike many other low-growing bulbs, Oxalis versicolor spreads subtly over time, forming little clusters that return year after year. It’s a perfect companion for other autumn-flowering plants and works well in places where its petite size can be fully appreciated, like in containers or nestled against stepping stones.

We send out our Oxalis versicolor bulbs in spring, so you can plant them as soon as the frost has cleared. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or someone just dipping their toes into planting bulbs, this cheerful little plant is bound to raise a smile.

• Botanical name: Oxalis versicolor
• Common name: Candy cane sorrel
• Flower colour: White with red-striped buds
  
• Established height: 10-15cm
• Established spread: 10-15cm
• Plant spacing: 75-100 bulbs per m²
• Leaf colour: Bright green
• Habit: Clump-forming · Spreading
• Life cycle: Perennial · Naturalising
• Hardiness: Frost tender – protect in harsh winters
• Years to establish: 1-2 years
• Sunlight: Full sun · Partial shade
• Position: Sheltered
  
• Suitable for: Pots · Window boxes · Rock gardens · Borders
• Soil acidity: Any
• Soil moisture: Free draining
• Soil type: Loam · Sandy · Stony · Multipurpose compost
• Growing skill: Easy to grow
• Scented: No
• Pollinator-friendly: No
• Mouse resistant: No
• Rabbit resistant: No
• Deer resistant: Yes
  
• Time of dispatch: Spring (end of March/April)
• Plant in: Spring
• We ship from: London