🔥 Oxalis vulcanicola ‘Molten Lava’ – Care Sheet
Also seen as Oxalis spiralis var. volcanicola ‘Molten Lava’ – a low-growing, spreading ornamental with high impact colour.
 
🌿 Terrarium Use
Factor
Ideal Conditions
Light
Bright indirect or filtered light (LEDs or near a window)
Humidity
50–80%
Can handle average room humidity, but prefers slightly humid environment
Temperature
18–26°C preferred; minimum 10°C, max 30°C
Substrate
Fast-draining: 50% coco peat + 30% perlite + 20% fine bark or sand
Watering
Keep lightly moist; allow top 1–2 cm to dry out before watering
Airflow
Needs moderate air exchange — avoid sealed glass terrariums
Growth Habit
Ground-hugging creeper; spreads via stolons and rhizomes
Trimming
Regular pruning needed to control spread and encourage bushiness

🏡 Houseplant Care
Light
Bright indoor light or filtered sun; tolerates some full sun hours daily
Container
Shallow pots or dish gardens work best
Soil
Fast-draining potting mix with extra sand or perlite
Watering
Moderate; water when topsoil dries slightly. Avoid soggy soil
Feeding
Fertilize monthly during active growth with diluted liquid fertilizer
Dormancy
May go semi-dormant in winter or if overly dry — reduce water and wait for return

🔁 Propagation
By runners/stolons – easy to divide when it spreads
Each rooted segment with a few leaves can establish a new plant
Can be grown from seed but not recommended for maintaining cultivar traits
 
🎨 Visual Appeal
Feature
Details
Leaf Color
Bronze to copper to ruby red – colour deepens in sun
Flower Color
Bright lemon-yellow; contrast pops against foliage
Best Display Use
Groundcover in open terrariums or feature in mixed pots
Colour Stability
Intensity depends on light and nutrient levels

⚠️ Watch For
Symptom
Cause / Solution
Fading colour
Not enough light – move to brighter position
Yellowing or mushy stems
Overwatering / poor drainage – check substrate
Weak, leggy growth
Too little light or excess nitrogen
Dormant / leaf drop
Stress, dry soil, or seasonal cycle – cut back water & wait

✅ Summary
Category
Rating / Note
Ease of Care
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ – Easy if watering and light are balanced
Terrarium Use
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ – Best in open or ventilated set-ups
Houseplant Use
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Striking, compact, and beginner-friendly
Growth Speed
Fast – monitor spread
Display Role
Accent plant, groundcover, or colour contrast