Winter care: we are into the colder months. Protect newly planted or tender specimens from hard frosts, and hold off planting out until the frost risk has passed.
The Oxalis regnellii, better known as the green false shamrock, lucky clover or good luck plant, is a charming little bulbous plant that throws up a low mound of fresh green, clover-shaped leaves topped with masses of dainty, star-shaped white flowers. The trefoil leaflets fold shut at night and open wide to the light each morning, so the whole plant seems to breathe with the day. Neat, quietly magical and steeped in good-luck folklore, it is lovely at the front of a warm border, in a gritty pot or on a sunny windowsill.
Wonderfully versatile, it sits right on the border between houseplant and garden plant, so grow it whichever way suits your space. It loves bright light: give it the high light of a conservatory, greenhouse or a sunny windowsill indoors, or a bright, sheltered spot outdoors through the warmer months. It is also refreshingly low effort, and often reckoned a touch tougher than the purple shamrock. Frost tender and winter dormant, it simply rests below ground through the cold and reappears each spring, so an off-season pause is all part of its easy rhythm.
Native to South America, from Brazil down into Argentina, it grows from small bulbs and rhizomes. Water regularly through spring and summer while it is in leaf and flower, letting the surface dry between drinks, then ease right off as the foliage fades in autumn and keep the resting bulbs nearly dry. Its long flowering and gentle habit make it a pollinator-friendly filler and a lovely companion among our other exotic bulbs and tubers and the wider hardy exotics range.
A quick note on the name. This is the green-leaved, white-flowered form, closely allied to Oxalis triangularis and widely treated as the green form of that species, so you may see the very same plant sold as Oxalis triangularis, green shamrock or simply false shamrock. The purple-leaved form is offered separately as Oxalis papilionacea. Whichever label you find it under, this is the green-leaf, white-flower plant. Every plant we supply is nursery-grown, hand-selected and packed with care to arrive in lovely condition, ready to pot up or plant out once the frosts have passed.
Live Arrival Guarantee
All plants are covered by our 7-day live arrival guarantee. We pack every order in protective, sustainable packaging designed to keep your plants safe in transit, and every plant is checked before it ships. On the rare occasion something is not right on arrival, we will make it good, provided the plant is still in its original nursery pot.
Ordering in autumn or winter? Many hardy exotics arrive dormant or cut back right now. This is normal, and the best time to plant.
Seasonal by nature: what to expect
Grown outdoors, the way nature intended. Weather-tested and hardened in real UK conditions, so they thrive in your garden. A few marks on the older leaves are normal, the sign of a tough, real plant rather than a flaw.
It follows the seasons. Depending on when you order, your plant may arrive cut back, dormant or leafless. That's healthy: dormancy is the ideal time to plant.
Posted, not posed. Big leafy plants like bananas and gingers may be trimmed or gently folded to travel safely. It does the plant no harm, and it powers away again in spring.
Not sure what to expect from yours? Dormant, cut-back or weather-marked plants are all perfectly healthy and normal.
Read what to expect through the seasons
Delivery and returns
See all delivery pricing tiers
Based on your basket total, confirmed at checkout. Free delivery: Economy over £60 · Standard over £100 · Express over £150.
Order by 1pm Monday to Friday for same day dispatch. Every plant travels in protective, plant-safe packaging with tracked delivery.
Outdoor plants are sold by the size of their pot — measured in litres, with the pot diameter in cm.
A larger pot means a more established plant for quicker impact in the garden; a smaller pot is better value and
soon catches up once planted out.
9cm · 0.5L
Young plant
A young, vigorous plant and the most economical way to build up a planting. Give it a season or two and it will romp away.
~13cm · 1L
Starter
A well-rooted young plant, ready to grow on in a border or container. Great value for filling space over a season or two.
~15cm · 2L
Established
A bushier, more established plant with a developed root system — a dependable middle ground that suits most gardens.
~17cm · 3L
Garden ready
A strong, garden-ready plant that establishes quickly and makes a visible difference in its very first season.
~19cm · 5L
Instant impact
A larger, fuller specimen for immediate presence — ideal when you want the planted look straight away.
21cm+ · 7.5L+
Specimen
A mature, substantial specimen — the quickest route to an established, fully planted-up feel.
Pots that fit this plant
We recommend
How to care for Green False Shamrock (Lucky Clover / Good Luck Plant)
Plant me in full sun and protect me when hard frost threatens.
In their words
What our customers say
EP
Emily P.
Arrived just like the photos - maybe even fuller. Healthy, well-acclimated, and straight into my collection with no issues.
JR
James R.
Flawless leaves, stunning variegation, and clearly cared for by experts. It’s already a talking point in my home office.
SL
Sophie L.
Hard to find rare plants that are pet-safe. Ours arrived in perfect condition and looks amazing without any worry.
Get to know me
About Green False Shamrock (Lucky Clover / Good Luck Plant)
Oxalis regnellii needs full sun or partial shade and well-drained soil. It is half-hardy to around −5°C and needs protection from hard frost.
RHS H3. In cold gardens simply lift the little bulbs or move pots under cover for winter, keeping them dry and frost free until spring. See our what to expect guide for how tender exotics move through the seasons.
Position
Full sunPartial shadeEast-facingSouth-facingWest-facingSheltered
a bright spot in sun or dappled shade, with shelter from cold winds. Ideal for pots, patios and balconies you can tuck away over winter.
Soil
LoamSandWell-drainedAcid pHAlkaline pHNeutral pH
sharp, free-draining, gritty compost or soil that never stays soggy, so it is right at home in dry and gravel garden conditions through summer.
Watering
Water regularly through the growing season from spring to autumn, letting the surface dry between drinks. Ease right off as the leaves fade in autumn and keep almost dry through winter dormancy. Feed lightly every few weeks while in active growth.Read moreShow less
Water regularly through the growing season from spring to autumn, letting the surface dry between drinks. Ease right off as the leaves fade in autumn and keep almost dry through winter dormancy. Feed lightly every few weeks while in active growth.
Mature size
Height0.1-0.2 m
Spread0.1-0.2 m
Reaches full size in 1-2 years
Growth habit
Clump-forming
Flowering
JFMAMJJASOND
Jun-Sep · White
Seasonal colour
SpringSummerAutumnWinterFlowerFoliageBerriesStem
Foliage
Deciduous
Pruning
Remove faded leaves as they die down, and tidy the clump in early spring before fresh foliage unfurls from the crown. No other pruning is needed.
Toxicity
No serious toxicity reported. Like other wood sorrels the foliage contains oxalic acid and is best not eaten in quantity by people or pets, but it is generally regarded as low risk.
It can be both. Through the frost-free months this green false shamrock is happy outdoors in a sunny, sheltered spot or a gritty container, and it also makes a pretty windowsill plant. Because it is only rated RHS H3 and is frost tender, the safe approach in most UK gardens is to grow it in a pot you can bring under cover, or lift the bulbs before hard frost. It suits our pots, patios and balconies range well.
Does Oxalis regnellii come back every year?
Yes, if it is kept frost free. It is a winter-dormant bulb, so the leaves die back completely in winter and the plant rests underground, then fresh green growth returns in spring. In a mild, sharply drained spot it can be perennial in the garden, but in colder or wetter conditions keep it in a pot and protect it over winter, as explained in our what to expect guide.
Is Oxalis regnellii hardy in the UK?
Only borderline. The RHS rates the false shamrock H3, which means it is frost tender rather than fully hardy. The green regnellii form is often cited as a little tougher than the purple, but it can survive outdoors year-round only in the mildest, best-drained gardens. For most of us it is safest treated as a tender bulb, grown in a container and kept dry and frost free in winter, or lifted before hard frost. Sharp drainage is the key to getting it through, which is why it enjoys dry and gravel garden conditions in summer.
What colour are the leaves and flowers on Oxalis regnellii?
This is the green-leaved form, so it carries fresh green, triangular, clover-shaped leaves topped with masses of small, starry, pale white blooms through summer. That green-leaf and white-flower combination sets it apart from the purple Oxalis papilionacea. The flowers and leaves both close at night and reopen with the morning light. It is a gentle, pollinator-friendly little plant that sits happily alongside our other exotic bulbs and tubers.
Is Oxalis regnellii the same as Oxalis triangularis or papilionacea?
They are closely tied. Oxalis regnellii is the green-leaved, white-flowered false shamrock and is widely treated as the green form of Oxalis triangularis, so the two names are often used for the same plant. Oxalis papilionacea is the purple-leaved form, sold separately. If you are searching for green shamrock, lucky clover, regnellii or triangularis, this is the plant you want. Whichever label you find it under, ours is the green-leaf, white-flower plant.
Is Oxalis regnellii toxic to pets?
It is generally regarded as low risk. Like all wood sorrels the leaves contain oxalic acid, so they are best not eaten in quantity by people or pets, but no serious toxicity is reported and it is widely grown in homes and gardens. As with any plant, it is sensible to discourage cats and dogs from nibbling it. You can browse more of our hardy exotics range for pots and borders.
Are your plants treated with pesticides?
We aim to avoid using pesticides where possible, but we can't control the whole supply chain.
If the plant is going into a vivarium, terrarium or aquarium with live animals, rinse the leaves and roots well, remove any soil and let the plant dry out before adding it. We'd also suggest keeping it away from animals for a month first.
Can I see a photo of the exact plant I'll receive?
We're not able to send photos of individual plants or let you choose a specific one, as plants are selected by our team when your order is packed. Our photos show the variety and the kind of plant you can expect, and yours may vary a little in height, shape or fullness.
If a size has a code next to it, such as 9cm / B2, you're buying the exact plant pictured.
Does my plant come with a pot?
Your plant will arrive in its nursery grow pot — the plastic pot it's been growing in. We don't include a decorative pot as standard, and there's a good reason for that: it means you get to choose one that fits your space and style, rather than being stuck with something that doesn't suit your home.
It also means you're not paying extra for a pot you might not want. The nursery pot is perfectly fine to keep your plant in for a while, just pop it inside a decorative cover pot or cache pot and you're good to go. When you're ready to repot (usually after a growing season or when roots start poking out the bottom), you can move it into something more permanent with fresh soil.
If you're not sure what size cover pot to go for, check the pot selector tool listed above, you'll want a decorative pot that's a centimetre or two wider than that to give it a comfortable fit.
How big will my plant be when it arrives?
Every plant on our site includes the pot size (e.g. 12cm) and, where possible, an approximate height. That's the most reliable way to set your expectations, photos can sometimes make a plant look larger or smaller than it really is.
If you're thinking "that sounds quite small for the price," here's something worth knowing: younger, smaller plants almost always adapt better to your home than larger ones. They adjust faster to your light and humidity, put out new growth more quickly, and tend to establish stronger root systems long-term. A plant that grows into your space will usually outperform one that was already big when it arrived.
That said, every plant is an individual. The one you receive may vary slightly in height, shape, or fullness compared to the photo, that's the nature of living things, not a quality issue. We select healthy, well-established specimens, and if you ever feel your plant doesn't match what you were expecting, just get in touch and we'll take a look.
What makes your plants different from the supermarket or garden centre?
There's a big difference between a plant that's been sitting under on a retail shelf and one that's been looked after and cared for by people who specialise in exactly this.
Our plants are grown in house or sourced from specialist nurseries, many of them varieties you simply won't find at your local garden centre or supermarket. Before anything leaves us, it's checked over by our horticultural team to make sure it's healthy, well-rooted, and ready to thrive in your home. We're not shifting volume off a pallet, we're choosing plants we'd want to keep ourselves.
When you buy from a supermarket, you get a plant and a generic care label. When you buy from us, you get the knowledge that comes with it, detailed care guidance, a team you can actually contact if something isn't going right, and the confidence that what's arriving has been looked after properly from the moment it was grown to the moment it reaches your door.
We're a specialist nursery first, not a retailer that happens to sell plants. That's the difference, and you'll see it the moment you open the box.
What should I do when my plant arrives?
First things first, unbox it as soon as you can. Plants don't love being in dark boxes any more than you would, and the sooner yours is out and breathing, the better.
Remove all the packaging carefully, give the soil a check with your finger, and water lightly if it feels dry. Then find it a spot with appropriate light, but avoid putting it straight into harsh direct sun or next to a radiator. Think of it like arriving somewhere new after a long journey: it needs a moment to adjust.
It's completely normal for your plant to look a little tired or droopy after transit. This is called transit stress, and most plants bounce back within a week or two. You might see a yellow leaf or some drooping, don't panic, and resist the urge to overwater or start repotting straight away.
Our advice for the first couple of weeks: leave it in its nursery pot, water it only when the top layer of soil feels dry, and let it acclimatise to your home's light, temperature, and humidity. Once it's settled in and showing signs of new growth, you can think about repotting or moving it to its permanent spot.
Every plant we sell comes with a care guide on the product page so you'll know exactly what it needs going forward. And if anything doesn't look right, get in touch with our team, we're always happy to help.
Will my plant survive being shipped?
Yes! and we go to serious lengths to make sure of it. Every plant is hand-packed by our team with protective wrapping and secure, custom-designed boxes to keep it stable and safe in transit. We've shipped hundreds of thousands of plants across the UK and our packaging methods have been refined over years to handle the bumps and jolts of delivery.
During colder months, we monitor weather forecasts and offer heat packs where needed to protect against frost. In extreme conditions, we may hold your order for a day or two rather than risk sending it out, we'd rather you wait an extra day than receive a stressed plant.
That said, plants are living things, and the occasional transit wobble can happen. If your plant arrives damaged or isn't in the condition you'd expect, just get in touch within 7 days with a photo, and we'll make it right, whether that's a replacement or a full refund. No fuss.
The short version: we treat every box like it's going to someone who really cares about what's inside, because it is.
Oxalis, commonly known as Wood Sorrel or the Shamrock Plant, is a diverse genus of plants with over 800 species found worldwide. Many popular houseplant varieties, such as Oxalis triangularis and Oxalis deppei, originate from South America, Africa, and part...
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Backed by our Live Arrival Guarantee.
Perfect for Gifting
From rare collector’s pieces to easy-care favourites, our plants arrive fully potted and ready to enjoy. Add a personalised note at checkout for a thoughtful finishing touch.
Delivered fresh, beautiful, and gift-ready.
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All plants are ethically sourced from trusted growers, never wild-collected. Every order ships carbon-neutral in minimal-waste packaging.
