To start a shamrock plant you can use division or stem cuttings.
To start a shamrock plant using stem cuttings, you take a healthy stem and then remove the lower leaves.
Then either root it in water or directly into soil with a well draining potting mix.
When starting a shamrock with division, you gently separate the root ball into smaller sections, each with the leaves, roots and the stems and then replant them in fresh soil.
For stem cuttings, select and choose a stem that is not too short and has healthy leaves and then strip off the lower leaves, and leave a few leaves at the top.
Then place the cutting in a jar of lukewarm water, keeping it in a bright, indirect light location and change the water every 2 weeks.
Then insert the cutting directly into some well draining soil mix, such as a blend of peat moss and perlite.
For division, carefully remove the shamrock plant out of it's pot and make sure to get the rhizomes, which are the underground stems.
Then gently tease apart the root ball and separate it into smaller sections, each with leaves, roots and stems.
Then prepare the new pots with some fresh, well draining soil and plant the separated sections, ensuring that the rhizomes are facing upwards and then water the newly planted divisions thoroughly.
To prevent disease, use sterilized shears or a knife to make clean cuts when propagating to prevent disease and be patient during the rooting phase as it can take several weeks for new roots to develop.
Shamrock plants do need lots of light that is indirect light but not excessive amounts of light.
Shamrock plants do best in bright, indirect light that is best achieved from being near a south facing window or west facing window.
Shamrock plants often need between 6 hours to 8 hours of the bright, indirect light.
White spots that occur on a shamrock plant are often caused by mealy bugs, although the white spots on your shamrock may also be caused by excessive sunlight or powdery mildew.
Powdery mildew is a fungal disease which manifests itself as white, powdery spots, often in humid conditions with poor airflow.
And mealybugs on the shamrock plant appear as fluffy, white masses, and can also cause white spots on the shamrock plant.
Too much direct sunlight can cause white spots to appear on your shamrock plant, especially if your shamrock plant is not acclimated to the direct sunlight.
A shamrock plant that is dying or wilting can be a result of overwatering of the plant or underwatering or because the shamrock plant is not getting the proper light or enough light or also a result of temperature stress.
The dormancy period can also be a result of the shamrock plant dying.
Not enough sunlight and not enough water is a common mistake that leads to a shamrock plant dying.
If all the leaves of the shamrock plant dry out a little, you should water again and in less than 2 weeks the shamrock plant should begin to start thriving again.
Shamrock plants also prefer to have well draining soil and do not like sitting in soggy soil.
Signs of overwatering of the shamrock plant include yellowing of the shamrock leaves, mushy stems and even a foul smell coming from the soil of the shamrock plant.
If you notice these signs of overwatering you should reduce the watering frequency of the shamrock plant and ensure that the pot has drainage holes.
Shamrock plants can also wilt and die and develop brown, brittle leaves if they don't get enough water.
You should water the shamrock plant when the top inch of the soil feels dry.
And shamrocks also need bright, but indirect sunlight and not direct sunlight.
Not enough bright, indirect sunlight can cause leggy growth and even weak leaves.
Even temperature stress can cause a shamrock plant to die as shamrock plants are sensitive to temperature extremes and so you should ensure you keep the shamrock plant away from any drafts and ensure that the temperatures stay within the optimal range of between 60 F to 75 F.
And some shamrock plant species also naturally go dormant and lose their leaves and go into a resting period and if so, you should reduce the watering during the dormancy period and place the shamrock plant in a cool and dark location.
Nutrient deficiencies and pests and diseases can also cause the shamrock plant to die.
A shamrock plant is also poisonous to cats and dogs, especially the Oxalis spp.
Shamrock plants and especially the Oxalis spp contains soluble oxalates which include oxalic acid, that can be harmful to cats and dogs if ingested.
The compounds can disrupt the calcium levels in the cats or dogs body and cause serious health issues including renal failure in cats and dogs.
Because shamrock plants are toxic to dogs and cats the dogs and cats should not be allowed to chew on or eat any part of the shamrock plant.
Symptoms of shamrock poisoning in cats and dogs include.
Drooling, diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, weakness, tremors and even changes in thirst or urination.
If your cat or dog has ingested any part of the shamrock plant you should seek immediate veterinary care if possible.
The oxalis triangularis is the purple shamrock plant and is a common household plant that is toxic to dogs and cats and even in small amounts the shamrock plant can cause poisoning and death in cats and dogs so it's best to keep the shamrock plants out of reach of dogs and cats.
If your cat or dog ingests a shamrock plant, you should if possible remove any visible plant material from their mouth if safe to do so.
And call the vet or a pet poison control center immediately if you suspect your dog or cat has shamrock poisoning.