Shamrock Plant Care Tips
I have a Shamrock Plant and it was doing poorly so I moved it to a sunnier window and now it is very full and takes up the whole pot. Should I divide it when it goes dormant or allow it to get root bound? Thank you, Sallee
Hi Sallee
Shamrock plants like to be root bound in small pots to prevent over watering. So I wouldn’t recommend dividing it until it becomes root bound. Then, when you do divide your shamrock plant, plant the sections in containers that are only an inch or two larger than the root ball. After a Shamrock Plant blooms, the leaves turn yellow, droop, and need to be pulled off. This usually occurs in the late fall. While your Shamrock Plant appears to be dying, it is really going into a resting or dormant phase. After all of the leaves have died, stop watering and move your Shamrock Plant to a cool area. with low light. Green Shamrock Plants need to rest for 2-3 months while Purple Shamrock Plants need to rest for about one month. After your Shamrock Plant has rested for the appropriate amount of time, move it back into bright indirect light and water as usual. Once new growth appears, fertilize with a basic houseplant food at ½ the recommended strength. Shamrock Plants may go dormant several times a year.
These plants are considered poisonous if eaten in large quantities and should be kept away from pets and children. Read more about common houseplants that are poisonous in Don’t Feed Me To Your Cat! A Guide to Poisonous Houseplants.
