Mirabilis jalapa

Mirabilis jalapa, more commonly referred to as the four o'clock plant, is a flowering perennial bush native to parts of South America.  Softly-pointed, dark green, oval leaves grow along the four o'clock plant's numerous branching stems, which comprise its bulk.  The moniker, "four o'clock," comes from the blooming habit of the plant where it will open its blooms in the late afternoon, approximately at 4 p.m., and remain open until the morning.  Delicate, trumpet-shaped blooms consist of five petals that may be pink, white, red, yellow, or a mix of colors in unique patterns.  Interestingly, though the plant may originally flower in one color, say yellow, its bloom color may change as it matures, gradually becoming a dark pink.  Four o'clock plants grow with a sprawling, bushy habit, making them an ideal choice for ornamental border plants.  Regard this plant with caution as it is entirely toxic to humans and pets.  

Six to eight hours of sun exposure per day is optimal for four o'clock plants, though they can tolerate shadier conditions at the cost of their robustness and bloom quality.  Though they grow heartily in a wide variety of soil types, provide four o'clock plants with a rich, loamy, well-draining soil to encourage greater health and vibrant blooms.  These plants cannot be allowed to dry out or they will suffer greatly. Water once the top inch or two of soil has dried out, and consider mulching to help prevent soil dehydration.  Warmth is important when growing four o'clock plants, as they quickly die from frost and harsh winter conditions.  When grown in rich soil, four o'clock plants should only be fed once in the spring to prepare them for the growing season.  Otherwise, they can be fed once a month from spring to fall.  Learn more in the Plant Story community!

Water moderately, allowing the top 3cm to dry out between watering.

Mirabilis Jalapa

Mirabilis jalapa

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