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Native Plant Society of Texas

Wild Four O'clock

Mirabilis nyctaginea

Other common name(s):

Heartleaf Four O'Clock

Family:

Nyctaginaceae (Four-O'Clock Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

This map uses data from the US EPA. EPA  servers have been offline frequently so maps may not display. We are working on a solution.

Cross Timbers, East Central Texas Plains, Edwards Plateau, Southern Texas Plains, Texas Blackland Prairies, Western Gulf Coastal Plain
Eastern Cross Timbers, Limestone Cut Plain
Northern Post Oak Savanna, Northern Prairie Outliers
Balcones Canyonlands
Northern Nueces Alluvial Plains
Floodplains and Low Terraces1, Northern Blackland Prairie
Tertiary Uplands

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Herbaceous

Height

4
to
5
ft.

Spread

to
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Gravelly, Limestone, Dry

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Low

Native Habitat

Grassland, Woodland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Pink

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer, Fall

Seasonal Interest

Nectar, Larval Host

Wildlife Benefit

Hummingbirds, Moths

Maintenance

Flowers open late in the afternoon and drop off early the next morning. The bracts become rose colored with age and are frequently mistaken as flowers. Easy to grow from seed and freely self sows. Drought tolerant but can also accept summer water. Re-seeds it self easily. Native Habitat: weedy places, in dry soils, limestone gravels, sandy Post Oak woodlands, also along grassy roadsides, and in dry pastures, The flowers are pollinated at night by insects. WARNING: the roots and seed are poisonous.

Comments

Blooms April-November. Stems are nearly smooth and branched above, growing from a fleshy taproot. Leaves grow mainly on the lower two thirds of the plant below the upper forkings of the stem. Each thin green leaf has an oval or heart-shaped blade. The flowers are trumpet-shaped and occur in leaf axils on the upper branches. A cluster of 3 to 5 flowers bloom in a bell-shaped involucre of five partly fused bracts. Shaggy-haired fruits appear in the drying, papery cup of bracts. Larval host: several micromoths: Embola ionis is a stem borer, Neoheliodines cliffordi and N. nyctaginella are leaf skeletonizers, and Aetole tripunctella is a leaf miner, and White-lined Sphinx Moth
Previous Scientific Name(s): Mirabilis collina, Allionia nyctaginea, Oxybaphus nyctagineus

References

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Seed Scarification Soak the seeds in room temperature water for 24 hours to soften the hard seed coat and promote germination. Fill a seed tray or pots with a well-draining potting mix. A mix that is rich in organic material but allows for good drainage works best for wild four o'clock. Plant the soaked seeds 1/4 inch deep into the potting mix, ensuring they are spaced out evenly. Cover lightly with the soil without compacting it firmly. Water the sown seeds gently to moisten the soil without causing the seeds to dislodge or the soil to wash away. Place the seed tray or pots in a warm location with indirect light. Wild four o'clock seeds require warmth and indirect sunlight to germinate properly. Expect seeds to germinate within two to three weeks. Once seedlings emerge, ensure they have sufficient light to prevent them from becoming leggy. When seedlings have grown large enough and have developed true leaves (not just the initial seed leaves or cotyledons), they are ready to be transplanted. Choose healthy, mature seeds from a robust wild four o'clock plant. Healthy seeds increase the chances of successful propagation. 1) https://www.picturethisai.com/care/propagate/Mirabilis_nyctaginea.html 2) https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/mirabilis-jalapa/#:~:text=Four%2Do'clock%20can%20be,and%20will%20regrow%20in%20spring.
Seed No Treatment You can sow seeds directly into the garden after the last frost, or start them indoors 6-8 weeks before the anticipated last frost date. Plant seeds about ½ inch deep in well-draining soil. With consistent moisture and warm temperatures (around 70°F), you can expect to see sprouts emerge in 1-3 weeks. If starting indoors, harden off the seedlings by gradually introducing them to outdoor conditions before transplanting them into the garden after the last frost. After the blooms fade, you’ll notice small, black, peppercorn-like seeds. Allow these to dry completely on the plant before collecting. 1) https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-mirabilis-nyctaginea/ 2) https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Mirabilis+nyctaginea#:~:text=Plant%20Propagation,comes%20into%20growth%5B200%5D.
Stem Cutting Dipping the cut end in rooting hormone (while optional) can encourage faster root development. Plant the prepared cutting in a pot filled with a well-draining potting mix. Cover the pot with a plastic bag or humidity dome to retain moisture. Be patient! It can take several weeks for roots to develop. You can check for roots by gently tugging on the cutting. If you feel resistance, your cutting is likely taking root. Once your cutting has rooted well, you can transplant it into a larger pot or directly into the garden. The best time for cuttings is in the spring or early summer when the plant is actively growing. Choose a healthy, non-flowering stem that’s about 4-6 inches long. Use a sharp, clean knife or pair of shears to make a cut just below a leaf node. Remove the leaves from the bottom inch or two of the stem. https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-mirabilis-nyctaginea/

About the Region

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our fall Symposium host chapter, the Tonkawa Chapter, includes both of these ecoregions.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason