First Sprout Oxalis Bulbs

Oxalis triangularis — First Sprout. Some dormant corms sit in the compost for a month before anything happens, and first-time growers give up on them. These are graded from the largest size in the crop, and they show green — then purple — within roughly two weeks of planting.

Nothing about the plant is different: same purple triangles, same white and pink flowers, same night-folding leaves. It is simply the most vigorous grade, which is what you want if this is your first season with oxalis.

Plant shallow, water once, keep it warm and bright, and wait.

What you get

• Largest grade in the crop — visible growth in about two weeks.
• Purple triangular foliage with white and pink flowers.
• Beginner-proof: plant shallow, water once, keep bright.
• 6–12 in, indoors or in a sheltered pot.
• Dormant corms, cleaned and graded before dispatch.

How to grow it

• Plant: 1–2 in / 3–5 cm deep, pointed end up, 3–4 in apart in a pot with drainage. Soak the corms for an hour first — they wake up faster.
• Light: bright, indirect light or a few hours of morning sun. Strong light keeps the purple deep; deep shade turns the leaves green.
• Water: keep evenly moist while growing, then let the top inch dry between waterings. Never leave the pot standing in water.
• Temperature: 60–75°F indoors. Hardy outdoors in USDA zones 8–11; elsewhere grow it in a pot and bring it in before frost.
• Dormancy: the leaves die back every few months — that is normal, not death. Stop watering for 4–6 weeks, then start again and it regrows from the corms.

Shipped dormant as graded corms, cleaned and ready to plant. Dispatch in 5–7 working days. Leaf colour and flower shade vary with light, season and the age of the corm — the first flush after planting is usually the darkest. Keep away from cats and dogs: oxalis is high in oxalic acid and is not pet-safe if chewed.