Purple shamrock care guide

Pets and children

How often to water Purple shamrock

Spring–Summer (Mar–Sep)

Every 4 days

While in leaf, water well once the topsoil dries, as a guide; if the leaves die back in midsummer heat and it goes dormant, water only sparingly.

Autumn (Oct–Nov)

Every 5 days

Cooler weather brings fresh leaves and flowers; water about when the topsoil dries.

Winter (Dec–Feb)

Every 10 days

With leaves on indoors, water a few days after the soil dries; if cold has sent it dormant, a light watering about twice a month is enough, as a guide.

Light and placement for Purple shamrock

A bright window or light shade outdoors, as a guide; in poor light the leaf stalks stretch and the purple fades, while strong midsummer sun scorches the leaves.

Overwintering Purple shamrock

Overwintering guide: 0°C (32°F) or above

Even if cold kills the leaves, the bulbs live on; keep the pot under the eaves or at an indoor window, frost-free, as a guide, and indoors above about 5°C it generally keeps its leaves all winter.

Fertilizing and repotting Purple shamrock

Fertilizer

It grows on little feed: dilute liquid fertilizer about twice a month in growth, or a small dose of slow-release in spring and fall, as a guide; none while dormant.

When to repot

Spring–Summer (Mar–Sep), Autumn (Oct–Nov)

Common problems with Purple shamrock

• Leaves lost to summer heat are taken for death and the dormant bulbs thrown out.
• In too little light the stalks grow lanky and the leaf color dulls.
• Watered at the same pace through dormancy, the bulbs rot.

Tips for growing Purple shamrock

• The leaves fold at night and in dim light by nature, not from disease.
• The bulbs are easy to divide and replant about 3–5 cm deep.
• When it dies back, water less and wait; resume once new shoots appear in cooler weather.

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