Great Yellow Woodsorrel
Oxalis grandis
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Pl. 9E57 — Oxalis grandis
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IOverview
Overview
Great Yellow Woodsorrel (Oxalis grandis) is a perennial plant found in the southeastern United States, ranging from Alabama to Virginia and West Virginia. This light-loving species thrives in moist environments with partial sun or full shade, making it adaptable to various soil types including light sandy, medium, and heavy clay soils. Hardy in zones 5-7, Great Yellow Woodsorrel can grow up to 0.2 meters tall. Known for its edible flowers and leaves, this plant is both ornamental and useful as a food source. Its distinctive yellow blooms add a splash of color to shaded gardens or natural settings.
Quick answers
What is Great Yellow Woodsorrel?
Great Yellow Woodsorrel (Oxalis grandis) is a perennial plant found in the southeastern United States, ranging from Alabama to Virginia and West Virginia.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Great Yellow Woodsorrel thrives in partial sun to full shade and prefers moist soil that is light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay). It is hardy in zones 5-7 and can be propagated through seeds or division. This plant grows up to 0.2 meters tall and is both an annual and perennial. To cultivate it successfully, ensure the soil remains consistently moist while providing ample shade. Harvest its edible leaves and flowers for culinary use.
Light
Partial sun/shade, Full shade
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
5-7
Life cycle
Annual, Perennial
Habit
Forb/herb
Mature size
0.2 m tall
For first-time growers
How to grow Great Yellow Woodsorrel for the first time
8steps
Start with Great Yellow Woodsorrel as a simple, low-maintenance addition to your garden.
- 1
What you'll need
Seeds or small plants, a container or garden bed, potting soil if planting in containers.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant seeds or young plants in spring after the last frost, or in late summer for fall blooms.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Use well-draining soil with a mix of light (sandy), medium, or heavy clay. Ensure containers have drainage holes.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Direct sow seeds 0.5 inches deep in the garden bed or start them indoors and transplant when they have two sets of leaves.
- 5
First two weeks
Keep soil moist but not waterlogged, providing partial sun to full shade for best growth.
- 6
Ongoing care
Water regularly, especially in dry spells. Mulch around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune dead leaves and flowers to encourage new growth and maintain a neat appearance.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting in full sun, neglecting to mulch, not providing enough shade, sowing too deep.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:FlowersLeaves
Edible uses: Great Yellow Woodsorrel's leaves and flowers are edible. They can be eaten raw in salads or cooked as a green. The plant thrives in partial sun to full shade and moist soil, making it suitable for gardeners in USDA hardiness zones 5-7.
Other uses:Ground cover
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
13 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
13 native · 0 introducedDistribution across1 continent· 13 native
Asia1 region
native (1)Georgia
Broader regions
native:Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Alabama, District of Columbia
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXI
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Companion planting
Growing zone
XII
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Back to the cataloguePlant id · 9e572465-5632-4fc5-b12f-9ad5635f6557
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