Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day With a Charming Shamrock Plant

With St. Patrick’s Day just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking green. And nothing says Irish like a good old-fashioned shamrock plant.

First used by St. Patrick to teach the concept of the Holy Trinity, the vibrant shamrock also heralds the dawning of spring and the promise of good fortune.

In February and March, groceries and garden stores will line their shelves with a charming indoor shamrock, formally known as Oxalis. Green-leaved varieties like Oxalis acetosella or Oxalis deppei produce dainty red or white flowers - but don’t be fooled by their delicate appearance.

The shamrock is very hardy and, with proper care, this rugged little plant will live well beyond this year’s St. Patrick’s Day celebration.

To ensure a lovely table setting for this first St. Patrick’s Day, choose a plant that is fully developed with healthy green leaves and flowers in full bloom. If you plan to purchase a shamrock close to the holiday, it would be best to leave the plant in its original container, since replanting may cause it to go into shock and accelerate flower wilting.

Shamrocks enjoy bright sunlight and, if you place your plant in a sunny window, it may bloom all winter long.

The plant thrives in barely moist soil and should not be over-watered. While it is actively producing new blooms, a 10-10-10 fertilizer should be applied regularly.

Shamrocks do best in cooler temperatures with a range between 50-65 degrees F at night and no higher than 75 degrees F during daylight hours.

Once the weather warms up, the shamrock will start to wither and go into a dormant phase. The leaves will turn yellow and, eventually, the plant will appear to be dead.

Simply remove all of the stems, and place the shamrock in a dark, cool room for 2-3 months or until new growth appears. Then bring the pot back to bright light and resume watering and fertilizing. This is also an excellent time to repot the plant, if you wish.

The lucky shamrock is a unique plant with a long life and a hardy spirit. It will make a charming centerpiece for this St. Patrick’s Day dinner and for many years to come.