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Plant A Shamrock: St. Patrick’s Day Decor

ByAnn Drake

Plant a shamrock! An easy and budget-friendly way to bring a colorful natural element into your decor and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day!

I’m not Irish…not even one little bit. However, I married a guy who takes his Irish heritage very seriously. His mother’s family came over from County Down. My kids have some of that Irish blood in them as well, so naturally a tiny bit of the blarney has rubbed off on me. We also rank among the most obsessed fans ever of The University of Notre Dame. My husband and son are alumni so we arrange our lives around football season and bowl games. (Don’t laugh. I’m serious.) The first song my daughter learned to sing was the Notre Dame Fight Song. So…for years I have seen shamrock plants around St. Patrick’s Day in the stores. One thing I have never done is plant a shamrock. I’ve been trying to decorate with natural elements for a while now. At this time of year, something live and green in the house seemed like a good idea. So plant a shamrock I did.

Plant a shamrock! An easy and budget-friendly way to bring a colorful natural element into your decor and celebrate St. Patrick's Day!

It took all of five minutes. I found a lovely shamrock plant at my grocery store. The root ball was a tiny bit big for the urn I wanted to use so I just brushed some of the dirt off until it fit. I put a few packing peanuts in the bottom of the urn so the water would drain. I no time at all, I had a little bit o’ Ireland right in my own home. 

Plant a shamrock! An easy and budget-friendly way to bring a colorful natural element into your decor and celebrate St. Patrick's Day!

Even if you aren’t Irish, I highly recommend that you plant a shamrock. It’s green, natural and alive. A totally budget-friendly way to bring some color into your decor for St. Patrick’s Day. I promise it will make you smile. 

Plant a shamrock! An easy and budget-friendly way to bring a colorful natural element into your decor and celebrate St. Patrick's Day!

Thank you for stopping by…and Go Irish!

 

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45 Comments

  1. Paula Ihnat says:

    Ann,
    Where did you get the white ceramic planter?

    Reply

  2. My hairdresser is Irish and her birthday is in March so I’ve given her a shamrock plant for her birthday. She planted it and had it for the longest time in her shop. It grew rather large! I usually get one for my home too. As a matter of fact I also plant it outside in my front porch planter come late May. It is a nice filler and grows quickly. My niece is a ND grad too!!

    Reply
  3. Susan Dupuis says:

    Hi Ann
    Plant that lovely little plant in your garden for the summer. I always put them in a pot on my patio where it does not get the hot sun. It makes me smile to see the pretty white flowers it produces all summer long . In the fall I lift it an bring it back inside and put it in a south facing window for the winter months . Sometimes it grows and some winters it just wants to rest, but when the days get longer up it shoots and it starts over again. Did you know they also come in a lovely reddish purple colour. These produce pretty mauve flowers. Spring is on the way!!!

    Reply

  4. FYI Shamrock Plant
    per ASPCA
    Additional Common Names: Good Luck Plant, Sorrel
    Scientific Name: Oxalis spp.
    Family: Oxalidaceae
    Toxicity: Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats, Toxic to Horses
    Toxic Principles: Soluble calcium oxalates
    Clinical Signs: Kidney failure (rare in dogs/cats), tremors, salivation

    Reply

  5. Very pretty! My girlfriend has one; her husband trained a camera on it for a day, then fast-forwarded the film. It’s a very active plant – always moving toward the light. So cool!

    Reply

  6. Love all of these prints. I am excited to frame and display for my St. Patty dinner. Thank you so much.

    Peggy

    Reply

  7. I grew up in Michigan and Saint Patrick’s Day was done up right with a local parade, school bands and floats. There is a bit of Irish blood in my background and I too love shamrocks at this time of year. I now live in California and planted them in my yard a few years ago in a protected area with only morning sun. They spread like a ground cover – what a nice surprise! They have lovely small white flowers in spring here. We moved a few years ago and you’ve inspired me to plant some here in our new, much smaller yard. I hope it works! Thanks always for your wonderful posts!

    Reply

  8. Ann – I sooo look forward to your blog. Congrats on your shamrock! I presently have 4 of them (3 greens and a red) and have had them I am guessing for over 20 years. Just like the Irish – can be stubborn but oh so forgiving! My experience with them over the years: (1) make sure they have plenty of drainage (you may have to repot after the holiday providing a slightly larger pot with better drainage, what I refer to as a more permanent pot versus decorative… just sayin); (2) about any light is good except for extremely hot areas or way too much sun; (3) water well when soil is dry; (4) remove dead leaves/blooms as noted earlier by the base; (5) over time if they get leggy, stemmy or just plain listless just take your shears and cut the whole mess off about 1 – 2″ from the soil, water when dry, etc. and they will pop back up even bigger and more beautiful! In other words …they can be resuscitated if necessary just don’t give up on them! And enjoy the beautiful leaves and flowers (white on the green ones, and purple on the red ones) forever and don’t forget to make a wish. Now I will have to fight the urge to drag another one in this season to feed my shamrock addiction! LOL.

    Reply
    1. Ann Drake says:

      Thank you so much for all this information. You are the best!

      Reply
  9. Donna Porter says:

    Thank you for all your lovely ideas and items shared. You give inspiration to my decorating!! You bless my life with wonderful ways to make my home a fun and inspiring place to live…

    Reply
  10. michelle doolittle says:

    Hello! I don’t seem to be able to print anymore, do I need to purchase Box? Thanks! so pretty!

    Reply

  11. Hi Ann! I luv your blog! I find myself always looking forward to and can’t wait for your next post! Today’s lighthearted selection is just what I needed for a rainy Sunday morning! I will be getting one of those shamrock plants! So simple yet so Irish!
    Thank you and Erin Go Bragg!!!!🍀

    Reply

  12. Thanks, I will plant a shamrock. Your urn is so pretty!

    Reply
  13. Sharon Caulineau says:

    I like the way you presented the March prints using my email and sending them directly.
    I have wanted to write you before to tell you how much I have used and enjoyed your prints and of course a recipe or two! Thank you so much for putting together such a delightful site.
    Blessings,
    Sharon

    Reply

  14. County Down? That’s where my mother’s family is from, still wish I would have asked for the Corn Beef and Cabbage recipe it was delicious!
    I’ll have to look for one of those shamrocks:)

    Reply
  15. Wendy Thompson says:

    I bought a shamrock today while at the grocery store and put it next to the sink and window in my kitchen — it’s supposed to snow tomorrow but I’ll be smiling all day!

    Reply
  16. Ricki Jill Treleaven says:

    I bought one today. Yours looks so pretty in the urn!

    Reply

  17. Ann, Just found your site and I am in heaven-your style speaks to me! Love the shamrock planting-will certainly be on the lookout for one of my own. And we are newly minted ND fans-our daughter just started grad school there this past year. We are hoping to be lucky enough to get tickets to a football game some time while she is out there-fingers crossed, it is not that easy! Thanks for the inspiration :)

    Reply
  18. Charlotte says:

    I have never tried to grow a shamrock….maybe this will be the year I give one a try.

    Reply
  19. Deborah Jackovitch says:

    Ann,
    Great Post today! I had to chuckle when you said a little of his Irishness rubbed off on you. I am married to stubborn Polish man and after 45 years a lot of his “Polishness” has rubbed off on me! LOL
    I am just glad he changed his last name to the American version otherwise I don’t think I could have ever learned to spell it correctly let alone write it….

    Have a good weekend

    Reply

  20. Hello!

    I stumbled upon your blog through Pinterest and love it! Thins post was further proof that we have a connection. I am married to a huge ND fan and our son is currently a graduate student.
    Go Irish indeed and thanks for your wonderful blog full of great ideas!

    Reply
    1. Ann Drake says:

      My husband is heading to ND tomorrow for a basketball game! Thank you for taking the time to comment and let me know your are following along. Go Irish!

      Reply

  21. Simply lovely idea! I’ll be headed out today to find my very own shamrock.
    Thanks Ann!

    Reply

  22. I’m not Irish either…but I am a plant lover. Never had a shamrock before…I’ll have to plant one! ;)

    Reply
  23. Jeanette Duke says:

    I have 2 shamrocks and have had them for probably 15 years. One little tip–do not over water and keep the dead steams plucked out. Pull them out from the base. Be careful though, you can accidentally pull the little roots up. I have. They are really pretty plants and lovely when they bloom. Mine have been blooming lately.
    Enjoy them!!

    Reply
    1. Ann Drake says:

      Thank you for the tip on pulling the dead stems. I was not pulling from the base. My plant was soaked through when I got it so I have not watered it yet. I’ll watch that too. I sure hope mine lives!

      Reply

  24. For some reason, the tale of the shamrock tickled me enough to write and suggest that you remember to water it – LOL!

    Reply

  25. Oh yes football……….I have to say a big ole ugh~~ as the world stops in my home when USC plays. Both my husband and son are football crazy, particularly with SC and the only alumni in my family is my son in law John. So I come to my girl cave full of sewing machines and this magical thing called a computer …how did I spend all my time without it?

    Reply

  26. My husband asked me out on our first date on St. Patrick’s Day 25+years ago! I will definitely plant a shamrock! Thanks for the inspiration…very much needing some green in the Midwest! Soo tired of the snow! :)

    Reply
  27. Nan Alderson, Odessa, DE says:

    These plants that look like large healthy clover have bulbs in the soil.
    If you give it a half glass of water, once a week, it will grow forever.
    If you forget to water, water and watch. Grows in all kinds of light.
    Isn’t every body irish on March 17?

    Reply
  28. Karen Poleon says:

    I too am a BIG Notre Dame fan. I grew up in the area. We live for ND football and try to attend a couple of games/ year. I love the idea of planting a shamrock. Will put it on my too do list for next week. Thanks for the great idea.
    GO IRISH

    Reply
  29. BamaCarol says:

    Not a Notre Dame fan (big Alabama fan here) but I do love shamrocks and haven’t had one in years. I think I’ll go out and look for one to plant this weekend. Hopefully it will enjoy my sunroom as much as I do. Beautiful planter you have there.

    Reply

  30. Hi Ann, this is a silly question but is clover in the yard the same plant? I could go foraging ;)

    Reply
    1. Ann Drake says:

      Hi Deni! This is from another comment on this post. “These plants that look like large healthy clover have bulbs in the soil.
      If you give it a half glass of water, once a week, it will grow forever.
      If you forget to water, water and watch. Grows in all kinds of light.” Hope this helps because I had no idea!

      Reply
  31. Cathy@My1929Charmer says:

    so cute, and maybe I’ll pick one up cause I’m not really in the mood to decorate for St. Patty’s. We are not Irish, but you’d have a run for most obsessed fans! My father and his brother both graduated from Notre Dame, from the time I was little we had seasoned seats (6) for football and attended every game. We also attended just about every basketball game! Now we are 2 hours from Notre Dame in IN, so at night for basketball games it was a very long evening! We played the Notre Dame theme song at my Dad’s funeral, and used their colors with flags. My whole family is obsessed with Notre Dame!

    Reply

  32. Your shamrock reminded me of a neighbor I had 40 yrs ago. I was in my 20s and she in her 80s. Her shamrock plant was approximately 12 inches in diameter,and she said she couldn’t remember how long she’d had it. She would set it out in the sun each afternoon in the early spring and it would be full of blossoms most of the summer. Thanks for the memory, going out to get myself one in memory of Margaret.

    Reply
    1. Ann Drake says:

      Love this story…thank you for sharing!

      Reply
  33. Peggy Renie says:

    So pretty Ann, and I love the planter too. My husband’s family are ND fans too – over the top fans from the birth, they are ND fans! Ha. Love your projects. Peggy

    Reply

  34. I’m not even a drop of Irish, but what could be better than a pretty little plant that might bring some luck!

    Reply

  35. In regards to the picture on your page of your home tour. The bag with the tulips, do you have any of those bag for sale?

    Reply

  36. Ann, you are my daily inspiration!! I enjoy your attention to details and your delicious recipes….thank you for sharing! Have a beautiful day!

    Reply
  37. Penny @ The Comforts of Home says:

    How pretty. I am part Irish and I have never planted a shamrock! I will see if I can find any in the store.

    Reply
  38. Shelley @ Calypso in the Country says:

    So pretty! I love the vignette too!
    -Shelley

    Reply

  39. No Notre Dame Alumni here but big Notre Dame fans nonetheless! Go Irish!

    Reply

  40. Ann, you have the magic touch for sure! It’s a gift ~ you can even make a grocery store plant look elegant and high end! I am pinning! :)

    Reply