Beginner
skill rating
Online Garden Tools
Useful videos
Oxalis acetosella (Wood sorrel)
Comment on a listing
Plant supplier links
- Login to upload a photo
1 hour care
per year
per year
0.05m
Max height
Max height
0.5m
Max spread
Max spread
1-2 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Oxalis acetosella
Other names
Wood sorrel, Common wood sorrel, Cuckoo bread, Cuckooflower, Cuckoo meat, Cuckoo sorrel, Fairy bells, French sorrel, Gowk meat, Hallelujah, Hearts, Lady's clover, Little gentle one, Marsh clover, St. Cecilia's flower, St. Patrick's cross, Sleeping beauty, Sleeping clover, Sleeping Molly , Sow trefoil, Stabwort, Stubwort, Wood sower, Sour shamrock, False shamrock, Sourgrass
Genus
Oxalis Oxalis
Species
O. acetosella - O. acetosella is a mat-forming, rhizomatous, evergreen perennial with palmate leaves divided into three folded, heart-shaped, edible, bright green leaflets and, from spring into summer, cup-shaped, white flowers with pink veins.
Oxalis acetosella is: Evergreen
Habit
Mat Forming
Flower
White, Veined in Spring; Veined, White in Summer
Foliage
Bright-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Rust Rust
General care
Pruning
Little to no pruning necessary.
Propagation
Sow seed in a cold frame as soon as ripe. Divide in spring.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
Sign up for your FREE ACCOUNT today or login to receive detailed monthly care instructions
Where to grow
Oxalis acetosella (Wood sorrel) will reach a height of 0.05m and a spread of 0.5m after 1-2 years.
Suggested uses
Wildlife, Underplanting, Ground Cover, Containers, Beds and borders, Woodland
Cultivation
Grow in moist, humus rich soil in partial to full shade. Water regularly in dry periods. Dislikes heavy, waterlogged soil. May spread rapidly in ideal growing conditions.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Shade
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Oxalis acetosella
Other names
Wood sorrel, Common wood sorrel, Cuckoo bread, Cuckooflower, Cuckoo meat, Cuckoo sorrel, Fairy bells, French sorrel, Gowk meat, Hallelujah, Hearts, Lady's clover, Little gentle one, Marsh clover, St. Cecilia's flower, St. Patrick's cross, Sleeping beauty, Sleeping clover, Sleeping Molly , Sow trefoil, Stabwort, Stubwort, Wood sower, Sour shamrock, False shamrock, Sourgrass
Genus
Oxalis Oxalis
Species
O. acetosella - O. acetosella is a mat-forming, rhizomatous, evergreen perennial with palmate leaves divided into three folded, heart-shaped, edible, bright green leaflets and, from spring into summer, cup-shaped, white flowers with pink veins.
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Mat Forming
Create your free Shoot garden
Create your free SHOOT garden and make a record of the plants in your garden.
Add your own photos, notes, get monthly email reminders on how to care for your plants, and connect with other gardeners. Get started now.
Colour
Flower
White, Veined in Spring; Veined, White in Summer
Foliage
Bright-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Specific diseases
General care
Pruning
Little to no pruning necessary.
Propagation
Sow seed in a cold frame as soon as ripe. Divide in spring.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
Monthly care advice
Get access to monthly care advice
Create a free SHOOT account and get instant access to expert care advice for this and other plants in your garden.
You'll also receive handy monthly email reminders of what needs doing. Create your free account.
Where to grow
Oxalis acetosella (Wood sorrel) will reach a height of 0.05m and a spread of 0.5m after 1-2 years.
Suggested uses
Wildlife, Underplanting, Ground Cover, Containers, Beds and borders, Woodland
Cultivation
Grow in moist, humus rich soil in partial to full shade. Water regularly in dry periods. Dislikes heavy, waterlogged soil. May spread rapidly in ideal growing conditions.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Shade
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 10, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4, Zone 3
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Shade | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
GARDENS WITH THIS PLANT
ARTICLES WITH THIS PLANT
Tom Dixon and IKEA are curious to see how we can make a positive impact on what we put on our plates, and hence our planet by exploring urban growing. Through our garden, we will use democratic… read more
By garden designer and landscaper Mark Gregory. The stunning Yorkshire Dales is the inspiration for Welcome to Yorkshire’s 2018 RHS Chelsea show-garden. read more
By Andrew Wilson and Gavin McWilliam of the Wilson McWilliam Studio. Wellington College, one of the world’s leading co-educational independent schools, returns to the celebrated horticultural… read more
Hartley Botanic has exhibited stunning trade stands at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show for nearly sixty years. For 2016, however, MD Johnny Mobasher is taking their presence at the event to the next… read more
To add ? to your lists,
login to your account or subscribe.
Find out more about plant lists here
or Login
To add notes for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To add images for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To check if this plant is suitable for your garden first login to your account or subscribe.
or Login