Description
Oxalis corymbosa (now listed as Oxalis debilis), known as pink wood sorrel, is a small bulbous plant with clover-like leaves. From summer into early autumn it carries small clusters of pink flowers.
Pink wood sorrel at a glance
| Botanical name |
Oxalis debilis (syn. Oxalis corymbosa) |
| Common name |
Pink wood sorrel |
| Plant type |
Small bulbous perennial with clover-like leaves |
| Height and spread |
Up to about 20 cm tall |
| Flowers |
Pink, in small clusters, June to September |
| Position |
Full sun or part shade |
| Soil |
Moist but well-drained soil |
| Pond depth |
None – not a water or bog plant |
| Hardiness |
RHS H4 – hardy in an average UK winter (-10 to -5°C) (rating for Oxalis debilis 'Aureoreticulata') |
| Native to |
Not UK native |
Is pink wood sorrel a pond plant?
No. It is not a water or bog plant. It needs moist but well-drained soil, so grow it in a pot or a border, not in wet ground or water.
Will it spread in my garden?
Yes, and it is hard to remove. The RHS treats Oxalis debilis as a persistent garden weed. It spreads by tiny bulbils that break off easily, travel on tools, boots and soil, and stay alive in the ground for years. Weedkillers do not work well on it. The RHS advises growing it in a container, and you should not put it in a home compost heap.
Is it good for wildlife?
The RHS notes that the leaves shelter ground-living invertebrates and feed the caterpillars of the bright-line brown-eye moth.
Which size should I buy?
Bare-root plants (7 cm, 9 cm, 1 litre and 3 litre) arrive without a pot or compost and are the most economical way to plant a group. Potted plants (9 cm, 1 litre and 3 litre) arrive growing in our peat-free compost and give a faster display. Packs of 3 come in 7 cm, 9 cm, 1 litre and 3 litre bare-root sizes and cost less per plant. The 2x Pot & Compost option is two plants supplied with pots and compost.
