Lucky clover is one of the most iconic houseplants. With its delicate leaves and picturesque design, the four-leaf clover is a popular gift at the turn of the year. The perennial plant is not hardy, but with the right care it will sprout from the bulbs year after year.
As a member of the Oxalidaceae family, the lucky charm is distributed all over the world. The plant has been very popular for around 150 years and is cultivated as a seasonal houseplant.
Useful information Site care Watering Fertilizing Repotting Pests & diseases FAQ
Worth knowing about lucky clover
Botanical name: Oxalis tetraphylla
Other names: lucky clover, oxalis, four-leaf sorrel
Use: gift ideas, table decorations, houseplants, New Year’s gifts, New Year’s Eve gifts, souvenirs
Origin: Mexico
Flowering period: in summer, depending on the variety, pink, white or red
Special features: lucky clover is a classic gift on New Year’s Eve or New Year. Thanks to the decorative leaves, the characteristic houseplant is extremely attractive and is therefore ideal for table decorations. With proper care, the lucky clover can last for many years as a houseplant.
Oxalis should not be confused with the local white clover. The four-leaf sorrel has the symbolism as a lucky charm due to the rarity of four leaves compared to the meadow clover, which only has three leaves of the same shape. In which location does lucky clover feel most comfortable? Lucky clover makes a wonderful gift and brings great joy on New Year’s Eve at the turn of the year.
A location with sufficient light is ideal, for example on a windowsill. For a short time, the houseplant can also be placed a little away from the window as a table decoration or bowl plant. The cooler the room temperature, the more compact the bulbous plant will remain. At temperatures above 18 °C, the leaf stalks quickly become long, but the plant can stand at room temperature for some time. From the end of May, the lucky clover feels comfortable outdoors in a partially shaded location.
Our gardening tip: Lucky clover can be wonderfully decorated with motif sticks. The traditional New Year’s gift with chimney sweeps, toadstools and lucky pigs is particularly pretty. DIY ideas with lucky clover can be realized in just a few simple steps, are as simple as they are effective and bring great joy.How do I care for my lucky clover?Clover plants are extremely easy to care for and undemanding.
During the winter, the green plants are indoors and are watered regularly. From the end of May, the pots with the lucky plant can be placed outdoors in a wind-protected location. Regular watering and fertilizing are necessary for vitality. As with other onion plants, a resting phase is necessary. For this purpose, the watering is stopped for 8 weeks from the beginning of October and the plants move in. During the dormant phase, the pots are kept in a cool and dark place. If the plants are to delight with new shoots at the turn of the year, potting in potting soil is necessary at the beginning of December.
With even soil moisture and temperatures of 18 to 20 °C, the onion will sprout again and will delight you with new stems and four-part leaves, just in time for New Year’s Eve. Without a rest period, the plant becomes exhausted and growth becomes weaker and slows down.How do I water my lucky clover?As a houseplant, lucky clover needs an even supply of water. It is important that there is never waterlogging and that excess water is poured off 15 minutes after watering.
The soil on the surface can dry out a bit before the next watering, because standing moisture damages the bulbs and the stems become soft and long. From October, the watering is reduced so that the leaves gradually turn yellow and the bulbs go dormant. During the break in growth, it is sufficient to water every four weeks so that the potting soil does not dry out completely.How do I fertilize my lucky clover?The fertilizer requirement for lucky clover is very low. The plant is fertilized with budding from May to August, no fertilizer is required in winter.
Fertilizing with green plant fertilizer is ideal, which is enriched with important growth and vital substances and provides the plant with optimal care.How do I repot my lucky clover?For a good development, it is advisable to plant your lucky clover in a larger pot in spring. This is how many daughter bulbs develop in the summer. Use a high-quality and structurally stable green plant soil for this. Choose a pot that is 3 to 4 cm larger and first fill the new pot with a thin drainage layer of expanded clay, this will prevent harmful waterlogging. Another repotting in fresh potting soil takes place in autumn after the dormant phase. To do this, place the small onions in a pot filled with soil and water it thoroughly. Which pests and diseases can lucky clover get?
Lucky clover is a robust perennial plant that, with good care, is robust and not very susceptible to diseases and pests. Aphids The fresh shoots are often attacked by aphids. As soon as you notice the aphid infestation, it is advisable to shower the plants with a jet of water. Strengthen the plants with organic active agents and ensure optimal site conditions. These measures often help to prevent the aphids from spreading further.FAQ — Frequently asked questions about lucky cloverHow can you decorate with lucky clover?The lucky charm is an ideal gift for a New Year’s Eve party.
The plant can easily be decorated with suitable accessories. The potted plant is also suitable for planting in a bowl — this is how a personal message of good luck can be delivered on New Year’s Eve. Should lucky clover be kept cold or warm? If lucky clover is too warm, the petioles become long and soft. A location with temperatures below 18 °C is ideal. For table decorations on New Year’s Eve, however, the enchanting plant can be left at normal room temperature.Is lucky clover watered from above or below?It is best to place the lucky clover in a planter or flowerpot saucer. Pour the water into the pot and after 15 minutes pour off excess water. This protects the lucky charm from standing water and still gets enough water. What happens to the lucky clover after New Year’s Eve?
The potted plant often ends up in the trash in the new year. This is not necessary, because with the right care, the bulbous plant is a decorative eye-catcher for many months of the year and can be cultivated for many years. How is lucky clover propagated? Lucky clover can be easily propagated by distributing the bulbs into several pots when repotting in autumn will. There are also four-leaf clover bulbs available in specialist shops in spring, which already have their first leaves six to eight weeks after planting. Can four-leaf clover be sown? Four-leaf clover can be propagated by seeds. Lucky clover seeds can be sown all year round.
Why do the leaves of the lucky clover close? When there is less light in the evening, the leaves of the lucky clover close. If there is enough light the next morning, the leaves will be fully unfolded again. What can be the reason why lucky clover droops the leaves? Often the lucky charm droops the leaves when the soil is too dry, the room temperature is too high or the plant has a draft.
Furthermore, the clover can also be at the beginning of the resting phase. Here, drooping of the leaves is normal and the plant requires less water. What other types of decorative clover are there? Another decorative type of clover is the red sweetheart clover.
In contrast to the lucky clover, this one has violet-burgundy leaves and triangular leaf wings. It is available as a balcony plant in spring and can be enjoyed as a houseplant in a bright location for many months in autumn.