Repotting guide

When & how to repot Oxalis tetraphylla (Oxalis tetraphylla)

Also called four-leaf sorrel, iron cross plant, lucky clover.

More about oxalis tetraphylla

About Oxalis tetraphylla

Oxalis tetraphylla · also called four-leaf sorrel, iron cross plant · flowering

Oxalis tetraphylla is a bulbous wood sorrel grown for its distinctive four-leaflet clover leaves, each marked with a dark purple 'iron cross' band, topped by clusters of small rose-pink flowers in summer. The leaves fold at night and in bright sun. A tender perennial from Mexico, it grows from small bulbs and goes dormant after flowering or in cold conditions.

Mature size: 15-25 cm (6-10 in) tall and 15-20 cm (6-8 in) wide.

Watch for — Leggy, pale leaves: Insufficient light. Move to a brighter spot to firm up growth and restore the dark cross markings.

How to tell oxalis tetraphylla needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For oxalis tetraphylla, watch for these signs:

Roots growing out of the drainage holes, or the rootball lifting the plant proud of the rim.
Soil that has shrunk away from the pot sides and no longer holds water.
The pot is unstable because the plant has grown top-heavy.
Old, compacted, broken-down mix that stays wet too long — for a succulent that is a rot risk, so refresh it even if the pot size is fine.

For the underlying biology of a pot-bound root system and why it stalls a plant, see our guide to spotting and fixing a root-bound plant.

How often to repot oxalis tetraphylla

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix. Oxalis tetraphylla's growth habit — low, clumping bulbous perennial forming a tidy mound of long-stalked four-part leaves; spreads slowly by offset bulbs. — sets the pace. Oxalis tetraphylla is a bulbous wood sorrel grown for its distinctive four-leaflet clover leaves, each marked with a dark purple 'iron cross' band, topped by clusters of small rose-pink flowers in summer. The leaves fold at night and in bright sun. A tender perennial from Mexico, it grows from small bulbs and goes dormant after flowering or in cold conditions.

What size pot to step oxalis tetraphylla up to

Use a pot only one size up — or even the same pot with fresh gritty mix if the roots have room. Oxalis tetraphylla stores water and rots in a large pot of slow-drying soil. A tight terracotta pot that dries fast is far safer than a generous plastic one. Never up-pot a succulent by several sizes.

Not sure of the exact diameter? Our pot size calculator takes the current pot and root spread and tells you the right next size — it deliberately recommends a single step up, never a big jump.

The best time of year to repot oxalis tetraphylla

Spring or summer, while oxalis tetraphylla is in active growth and warm, is best — roots recover fastest then, and the plant is not sitting in cool damp soil. Avoid repotting a succulent in winter dormancy.

Step-by-step: repotting oxalis tetraphylla

Repot dry. Do not water oxalis tetraphylla for several days first. Working with dry roots and dry mix dramatically lowers the rot risk for a succulent.
Pick a snug, fast-draining pot. Choose terracotta one size up at most, with a drainage hole. Have gritty free-draining, gritty loam-based mix ready.
Tip it out and clean the roots. Slide the plant out, crumble off the old soil, and trim any black, mushy or dead roots with clean snips.
Pot into dry mix. Set oxalis tetraphylla at its original depth in dry gritty mix, firming gently. Do not bury the stem deeper than it was.
Wait a week before watering. Leave it completely dry and out of harsh sun for about 7 days so any damaged roots callus. Only then water lightly.

Aftercare

Keep oxalis tetraphylla completely dry and out of fierce sun for about a week so any nicked roots callus before they meet moisture; watering a freshly repotted succulent is the classic way to rot it. Then resume the normal lean, dry rhythm. Do not fertilise for about 3 weeks — fresh mix already carries nutrients and feeding freshly disturbed roots scorches them.

The right soil mix for oxalis tetraphylla

Oxalis tetraphylla wants free-draining, gritty loam-based mix. Use a well-drained potting mix with added grit or perlite; bulbs rot in heavy, wet soil. Neutral to slightly acidic pH suits it. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting oxalis tetraphylla — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot oxalis tetraphylla?

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix for oxalis tetraphylla. Repot oxalis tetraphylla every 2–3 years into a snug pot of free-draining, gritty loam-based mix, ideally in spring or summer. Let it sit in dry soil and do not water for about a week afterwards so any nicked roots can callus. Over-potting and watering straight away is what rots succulents.

What size pot does oxalis tetraphylla need?

When is the best time of year to repot oxalis tetraphylla?

Should you water oxalis tetraphylla after repotting?

No — not straight away. Repot oxalis tetraphylla into dry mix and wait about a week before the first watering so any damaged roots callus over. Watering a freshly repotted succulent is the single most common way to rot one.

Should you fertilise oxalis tetraphylla after repotting?

Not immediately. Wait about 3 weeks after repotting oxalis tetraphylla. Fresh mix already contains nutrients, and feeding freshly cut or disturbed roots burns them. Resume your normal feeding routine once you see new growth.