Oxalis Control: How To Get Rid of Oxalis

This page is a general oxalis control guide. Using the products and methods suggested, you will get control of oxalis. Follow this guide and use the recommended products, and we guarantee 100% control of oxalis.

Oxalis is an annual and perennial plant that some people find pleasant to look at because of their delicate clover-like leaves and attractive blooms. Oxalis weeds can be one of the most annoying and difficult weeds to eradicate.

Oxalis is a perpetual weedy groundcover, which spreads via interlocking underground stems (or rhizomes) that are easy to separate. This weed has many seeds that drop when ready from little seed cases that look similar to okra. Anywhere the oxalis weed stem touches the ground, the plant can root with the potential of spreading the weed infestation.

This noxious weed usually dominates in areas of the garden planted with low ground covers. When oxalis grows alongside ground covers it is virtually impossible to get rid of without damaging the surrounding desired grass. Managing oxalis can be difficult because of its tough root system and the different methods the plant has to reproduce itself and persist.

If you are having a problem with oxalis weed on your lawn, our DIY oxalis treatment guide can help. The directions below were recommended by our lawn care experts and will show you how to properly get rid of oxalis from your lawn or garden.

Identification

Before proceeding with a treatment program, you will need to be certain that you are dealing with a oxalis infestation. Careless identification can lead you to using the wrong treatment methods which can be a waste of time and money. Below are the following characteristics to know what oxalis looks like.

• Oxalis, also known as wood sorrel, looks very similar to another weed called clover before it flowers, with the signature trifolate leaves meaning it grows with in groups of threes. Difference between these weeds is that oxalis has smoothed edged heart-shaped leaves whereas clover leaves are more rounded in shape. 
• Oxalis can grow between 6 to 12 inches tall. The stems are slightly hairy, branch from the plant’s base, and grow upright. The leaves are green in color, but another oxalis species, creeping woodsorrel, has green to purple leaves.
• When either of these oxalis species flower, that is yellow woodsorrel and creeping woodsorrel, they produce single flowers or clusters of flowers. These flowers have 5 yellow petals. The seedpods are shaped like okra and can launch seeds long distances.

Use the description and image above to help you to properly identify oxalis weed on your property. If you are not totally sure, contact us and send us a photo of your weed and we will assist you with oxalis weed identification as well as suggest treatment options.

Inspection

Once you have confirmed that you are dealing with oxalis weed, you can then move on to performing an inspection. During this phase, you will need to locate the areas where oxalis is growing and observe the conditions of the area that may be helping this weed to thrive.

Where to Inspect

Oxalis grows well in moist, fertile soil in areas that see full sunlight, but it can also tolerate partial sunlight as well.

Common sites for oxalis to grow is vegetable gardens, ornamental gardens, and lawns.

What to Look For

Oxalis germinates in spring and will start producing flowers and seed pods from late spring through summer.

You will be able to easily notice oxalis weeds on your property due to its shamrock-like leaves and if mature, it's bright flowers. It is often seen forming thick clusters of groundcover.

Treatment

Before carrying out oxalis control methods, please first make sure you have on the necessary personal protective equipment PPE (gloves, mask, glasses) prior to handling any herbicide chemicals.

If oxalis is appearing on your lawn, apply Expel Turf Herbicide. Expel Turf Herbicide is our go-to oxalis weed killer because of its affordability, ease of use and the fact that it is labeled for both warm-seasoned and cool-seasoned turf.

Apply Exepl Turf Herbicide in the late spring when the weeds are younger and smaller. Herbicides are less effective the older and more mature the weed becomes.

Step 1: Mix and Apply Expel Turf Herbicide

Determine how much Expel Turf Herbicide to use by measuring the square footage of the treatment area. To do this, measure the length and width of the treatment area in feet then multiply them together (length X width = square footage). For acreage, take the square footage and divide it by one acre (square footage / 43,560 sq. ft. = acres). 

To get rid of oxalis in warm-seasoned turf, use 8 to 12 oz. of Expel Turf Herbicide per 10 gallons of water per acre.

To get rid of oxalis in cool-seasoned turf, apply 4 to 8 oz. of product per 10 gallons of water per acre.

Due to this product’s high-volume applications, high-capacity equipment like a spray rig may be necessary.

To mix, fill the tank with half the amount of water, add measured amount of Expel Turf Herbicide, then pour in the remaining half of water. Shake the tank until the solution is well-mixed.

Step 2: Apply the Expel Turf Herbicide To The Oxalis Weeds

Once Expel Turf Herbicide is thoroughly mixed, broadcast your solution evenly over the area.

In some cases, you may have to do a repeat application when 35 days have passed from the previous application until the weed dies out. 

Maximum annual application rate is 8 fl. oz. on cool season grasses and 12 fl. oz. on warm-season grasses.

If you are treating oxalis in ground cover, check the product’s label to ensure your ground cover plant is resistant. Otherwise, this application will injure both the targeted weed and ground cover species.

Prevention

Once oxalis has been eliminated from your property, you will need to implement some preventative measures which will ensure that this weed does not return. Here are some preventative measures we suggest taking to keep oxalis away:

• A pre-emergent like Barricade Pre-Emergent Herbicide Prodiamine Granular is the best preventative measure, especially if the oxalis is an annual occurrence. Barricade Granular Pre-Emergent Herbicide will form a chemical barrier in your soil that will prevent weed seeds from sprouting and emerging. Depending on your turf species, you may be using from 1.5 to 4 pounds of product per 1,000 sq. ft. Adjust your spreader to the proper setting then load the needed amount of product. Spread the granules across the treatment area in 2 perpendicular passes, carefully avoiding overlap. After application, water the granules in with 0.5 inches of irrigation to activate them. Keep in mind that this application will only prevent new oxalis from growing from seed, not by rhizome.
• Keep up with regular lawn fertilizations as thick plant growth will help to choke out oxalis infestations. We recommend using Solutions 15-5-10 Weed & Feed Fertilzer with trimec that will supply your lawn with the proper nutrients and help to remove emerged oxalis weeds. For most applications you will need to apply 3.2 to 4.0 pounds of product per 1,000 square feet of treatment area. Spread the product granules evenly across the treatment area with a push or broadcast spreader. Wait until 1-2 days have passed after application then water the granules in. 
• Maintain overall cultural practices such as watering with an inch of irrigation once per week to avoid overwatering and mowing when the turf has reached 3 incehs in height. 

Key Takeaways

What is Oxalis?

• Oxalis is a fast-growing annual weed known for its tendency to take over lawns and gardens with its low growing ground cover.

How To Get Rid of Oxalis

• Our top recommendation for killing oxalis is Expel Turf Herbicide. 

Preventing Oxalis Re-emergence

• A pre-emergent herbicide like barricade can be applied to your lawn before the growing season to prevent oxalis seeds from sprouting.