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Mirabilis nyctaginea

wild four o'Clock

Nyctaginaceae

Central North America (Great Plains)

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant

Native to North America

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 3–8

Overview

Mirabilis nyctaginea is an upright herbaceous perennial growing 1-4 ft (30-120 cm) tall from a thick, deep taproot, with smooth, branching stems that are swollen at the nodes. The opposite leaves are heart-shaped to triangular, 1.5-4 in (4-10 cm) long, on short stalks. Small pink to magenta flowers, about 0.3-0.4 in (8-10 mm) across, are grouped several together within a green, cup-shaped involucre that enlarges and becomes papery as the seeds develop. The flowers open in late afternoon and close by the following morning. The species is native to central North America, especially the Great Plains, and has spread eastward along roadsides, railways, and disturbed ground. It grows in USDA zones 3 to 8, tolerates drought and poor soils, and resprouts from its taproot, which makes it persistent and weedy where established. It self-seeds freely and can be difficult to remove once the taproot is set.

Native Range

Mirabilis nyctaginea is native to central North America, centered on the Great Plains from the Canadian prairies south into Texas and Mexico. It has spread east and west along roadsides, railways, and other disturbed ground beyond its original range.

Suggested Uses

Used occasionally in prairie restorations and naturalistic dry plantings where its spread is acceptable, spaced 12-24 in (30-60 cm) apart. The late-day flowers attract moths and other evening pollinators.

How to Identify

Recognized by smooth, branching stems swollen at the nodes and opposite, heart-shaped to triangular leaves 1.5-4 in (4-10 cm) long. Small pink to magenta flowers sit several together in a green, cup-shaped involucre that enlarges into a papery, five-lobed structure as seeds ripen. The flowers open in late afternoon and close by morning.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 4'

Width/Spread1' - 2'

Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~16 weeks

Spring Summer Fall

Flowering occurs from late spring through late summer, roughly May to September. The pink to magenta flowers open in late afternoon and close the next morning, with new flowers opening over many weeks. The papery seed cups persist after bloom.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

pink to magenta

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 8.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

sand loam rocky clay

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Mirabilis nyctaginea grows in full sun to part shade and a wide range of well-drained soils, including dry, rocky, and poor ground, with pH from 6.0 to 8.0. It is hardy in USDA zones 3 through 8 and tolerates heat and prolonged drought once established, drawing on its deep taproot. Water needs are low. It resprouts from the taproot each year and self-seeds freely, which makes it persistent and weedy in gardens and disturbed sites. The deep root makes established plants hard to dig out.

Pruning

Cut back stems after flowering to limit prolific self-seeding before the seed cups ripen. Plants die back to the taproot in fall and resprout in spring. Pulling seedlings while young prevents the deep taproot from establishing.

Pruning Schedule

fall