Scientific Name
Oxalis gigantea Barnéoud
Common Name(s)
Churqui and Churco (Spanish), Giant Oxalis
Synonym(s)
Oxalis virgosa
Scientific Classification
Family: Oxalidaceae
Genus: Oxalis
Origin
Oxalis gigantea is native to Chile. It grows in the xeric shrublands around Antofagasta, Atacama, and Coquimbo.
Description
Oxalis gigantea, also known as Oxalis virgosa, is a shrubby succulent species, probably the largest known in the genus. It can grow up to 8 feet (2.4 m) tall. The stems are slender, few branched, erect to curved and drooping, and can reach up to 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter. They have numerous short, spur-like shoots, fleshy at first, becoming woody with age. The small leaves are bright green, heart-shaped, measuring up to 0.4 inches (1 cm) long.
The flowers are bright yellow and appear in spring. They can reach up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 9b to 11b: from 25 °F (−3.9 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
Oxalis can be grown indoors as a houseplant or outdoors in the garden. They from the garden center are generally available in the fall or early spring.
These plants need bright, indirect light to grow well and produce flowers. They can often bloom all winter if kept in a sunny spot. Keep the soil barely moist but never soggy. Allow the top 2 inches (5 cm) of soil to dry before watering. It is best to water your Oxalis from the bottom so that the thin, fragile stems of the plant don't get waterlogged and the soil stays loose. Oxalis plants grow best in cool temperatures between 60 to 70 ºF (15 to 21 ºC) during the day and 55 to 65 ºF (13 to 18 ºC) at night. The soil should be loose and sandy rather than rich and organic. Feed your plant monthly when actively growing with a basic houseplant food at 1/2 the recommended strength. Never feed an Oxalis when it is dormant and the bulbs are resting.
To propagate Oxalis, simply split the plant into smaller plants and place them in their own pots. Keep it out of direct sunlight until new shoots appear.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Oxalis.
Links
- Back to genus Oxalis
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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