%20-%20470.jpg)
Four o'clock flower
Mirabilis jalapa · Nyctaginaceae
📷 Another one of my pictures: This photograph was taken by Medium69 (William Crochot) and released under the license stated below. You are free to use it for a… · CC BY-SA 4.0
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around four o'clock flower and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- July to October
- Adult size
- 24 to 35 inches in height
- Growth
- Fast
- Hardiness
- Frost-sensitive (grow as an annual in cold climates)
- Origin
- Mexico
- Soil type
- Well-drained, light to rich
Expert tips
The key tip
Arrosez régulièrement en été mais laissez sécher entre deux arrosages : la belle-de-nuit déteste l'humidité stagnante qui provoque la pourriture des tubercules. En pot, un drainage impeccable est non-négociable. Une fois établie, elle tolère bien la sécheresse, sauf en pleine floraison.
The common mistake
Surcharger en engrais azoté : cela pousse le feuillage au détriment des fleurs. Les jardiniers inexpérimentés confondent vigueur et générosité. Résultat : une belle plante verte qui ne fleurit presque pas.
The pro's trick
Pincez les tiges au mois de juin quand elle atteint 20-30 cm : cela force la ramification et multiplie les points de floraison par deux ou trois. Une seule intervention, un geste simple, une différence spectaculaire à l'automne.
Seasonal watch
Fin septembre-octobre : si le froid précoce passe, les tubercules peuvent geler avant d'être complètement dormants. Anticipez en couvrant au-dessus du sol dès que les feuilles jaunissent. Au printemps, attendez vraiment la chaleur stable avant de réveiller les tubercules ou les remettre dehors, vers mai.
Care
Watering
Water regularly during the growing season, ensuring the soil doesn't dry out completely. In summer, increase watering frequency. Reduce watering in fall and let the soil dry more in winter if you're keeping the plant. Avoid standing water, which causes root rot.
Light exposure
Four o'clock flowers prefer a sunny to semi-shaded location. They bloom best with at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight. In very hot climates, some afternoon shade can be beneficial. Good light exposure promotes abundant flowering.
Soil
Grow four o'clock flowers in well-drained soil rich in organic matter. A standard potting mix based on peat and sand works perfectly. You can enrich the soil with decomposed compost when planting.
Fertilizing
Apply balanced fertilizer every 15 to 20 days during flowering. Excess nitrogen promotes foliage at the expense of flowers. Moderate feeding with phosphorus and potassium-rich fertilizer stimulates abundant blooming.
Pruning and maintenance
Pinch off stem tips in spring to encourage a bushy shape. Remove faded flowers regularly to prolong blooming. In late fall, you can cut back the plant or grow it as an annual. Clean up yellowed or damaged foliage.
Diseases and pests
Four o'clock flowers are generally hardy. They can be affected by spider mites in dry conditions or powdery mildew if humidity is excessive. Ensure good air circulation and avoid wetting the foliage. In case of infestation, appropriate treatment or a water rinse is often sufficient.
Did you know?
The four o'clock flower owes its name to its tubular flowers that typically open late in the afternoon and close the next morning. This fascinating botanical characteristic was well known to botanists in the 17th century, who already called it the "four o'clock flower" because of its predictable opening cycle.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- BougainvilleaBougainvillea
- Desert wishbone-bushMirabilis laevis
- Scarlet spiderlingBoerhavia coccinea
- Pisonia macranthocarpaPisonia macranthocarpa
- Red spiderlingBoerhavia diffusa
- Trailing windmillsAllionia incarnata
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.