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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

2
to
5
ft.

Spread

1
to
2.5
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Dry, Gravelly, Limestone, Sand

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

Larval Host, Nectar

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. The flowers are pollinated at night by insects. WARNING: the roots and seed are poisonous. Native habitat: weedy places, sandy Post Oak woodlands, also along grassy roadsides, and in dry pastures,

Description

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

2026 Fall Symposium Logo

This low-elevations region of Texas extends inland from the barrier islands, about 60 or so miles, and stretches from Brownsville to Louisiana. In total, it covers about 9.5 million acres, with a high point of 150 feet in elevation. More than 1000 species of plants can be found in this region. On the southern end, species more common in Mexico (such as Sabal mexicana) and Central America occur.

The barrier islands provide us with dune systems, and clay flats to the inland side, which have species found in these areas alone. Many plants here, such as Ipomoea pes-caprae (beach morning glory), can be found throughout tropical regions of the globe. I’ve encountered the same species on the beaches of Guam.

Once inland, vast marshes and wet prairies occur. Occasionally, oak (Quercus fusiformis) groves can be found. Common grasses include species of Bothriochloa, Paspalum, and Sporobolus; eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides); and switchgrass (Panicum species). Many rivers and creeks cut through the Gulf Prairies, and along these riparian areas various species of trees, Sabal minor, and other plants adapted to clay soils can be found. Due to overgrazing, farming, and fire suppression, woody species such as mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) and huisache (Acacia farnesiana), and invasive species such as chinaberry (Melia azedarach), Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), and Chinese tallow (Sapium sebiferum) have increased and displaced our native flora.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason