Oxalis Amarantha

Royal Purple Shamrock 'Amarantha' (Oxalis 'Amarantha')

Get ready to bring true botanical magic, a breathtaking explosion of color, and the most interactive “butterfly” silhouette in the world of houseplants into your home or office - the stunning Purple Shamrock 'Amarantha' (Oxalis triangularis 'Amarantha' / affectionately known as the “Lucky Clover” or “Butterfly Flower”)! This exclusive natural masterpiece, highly prized among houseplant enthusiasts, is a living, moving interior design element. The plant’s greatest pride, magnet, and unique trademark is its breathtaking foliage and nyctinastic movement: on delicate, slender stems are arranged three-part, triangular leaves in rich, shimmering shades of fuchsia, purple, and amaranth pink, visually resembling swarms of butterflies settling down. The most magical feature of this plant is its ability to move - responding to light, its leaves open wide in the sun in the morning, while at dusk they neatly fold together like small umbrellas for the night! In addition, in spring and summer this purple foliage is generously crowned with delicate, light pink or creamy-white bell-shaped flowers. It is currently a beautifully established, strong, exceptionally dense and bushy 20 cm plant in an excellent-sized 12 cm pot. This is the most prestigious, tasteful, and magical gift for a housewarming, children’s rooms (children adore the plant “falling asleep”), bright desks, and anyone looking for a truly living natural wonder!

CARE INSTRUCTIONS:

• ☀️ Light: Bright, abundant, but ABSOLUTELY indirect light (or gentle morning sun). This is where the secret to the plant’s vivid amaranth color and the opening of its “butterflies” lies: to keep its leaves richly purple and prevent the plant from stretching into long, weak stems, it needs plenty of filtered light. Strictly protect it from direct, scorching midday sunlight, which can quickly burn and dry out its delicate, fragile leaves. An east- or west-facing windowsill will be perfect.

• 💧 Watering: Regular, moderate, and very careful. Shamrocks like consistent, light moisture, but they absolutely cannot tolerate their root bulbs sitting in stagnant water. Water the plant thoroughly, but ONLY when the top layer of soil (the upper 1-2 cm of the pot) has completely dried out. As the plant is in a 12 cm pot, it will retain moisture moderately, but the plant strictly cannot tolerate its roots sitting in stagnant water in the saucer, which can quickly cause the bulbs/rhizomes to rot. Reduce watering significantly in winter.

• 🌡️ Temperature/Humidity: It feels excellent and comfortable in moderate room temperatures (+15°C to +22°C). This plant adapts well to normal indoor air. Important secret: shamrocks do not like prolonged, sweltering heat above +25°C, which can trigger the plant to enter dormancy.

• 🐾 Keep away from pets: Shamrocks contain oxalic acid (oxalates) in their leaves. Although it is not fatal in small amounts, chewing the leaves can cause digestive tract and kidney irritation in cats, dogs, and other pets. Place this purple beauty somewhere they cannot reach.

🏠 BEST ROOM:

• Bright desks, children’s room shelves, kitchen windowsills, and coffee tables, where this nyctinastic (moving) natural phenomenon will be in view and delight you every morning and evening.

• Modern, romantic, or “vintage” interiors, where a rich purple accent and delicate natural lines will add coziness.

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Height: 20 cm 

• Pot diameter: 12 cm 

⚠️ Note and a dose of reality about shamrocks: Plants are living organisms, and Oxalis is one of the greatest “actresses” in the world of houseplants. First, due to transport and stress, the plant may fold its leaves and look “wilted” - place it in a bright spot and let it recover. Second, and most importantly - shamrocks grow from small, cone-like bulbs in the soil and have a natural dormancy period. If at any point (often in winter or during extreme heat) the plant suddenly starts shedding all its leaves and looks dead - DO NOT THROW IT AWAY! It is simply going to sleep. Stop watering, place the pot in a cooler, darker spot for a couple of weeks, and then resume watering and move it into the light; new, strong “butterflies” will burst forth from the soil in abundance! When you repot it in the future, use a light, well-draining houseplant substrate.