Mirabilis jalapa – Four O’Clock Flower
Explore Mirabilis jalapa (Four O’Clock Flower) – its characteristics, habitat, cultivation, propagation, and functional uses and benefits.
Mirabilis jalapa | Botanical Characteristics
Common Names: Four O’Clock Flower, Marvel of Peru
Synonyms: None
Family: Nyctaginaceae
Appearance: A bushy, branching herb with opposite, oval to heart-shaped leaves. Its fragrant, trumpet-shaped flowers open in the late afternoon and come in pink, magenta, red, yellow, white, or mixed streaks, often several colors on the same plant.
Type: Perennial
Evergreen / Deciduous: N/A
Layer: Herbaceous
Root System: Large, dark, tuberous taproot
Height: 0.6–1.0 m
Width: 0.5–0.9 m
Lifespan: Long-lived through its tuber; often grown as an annual in colder climates
Growth Rate: Fast
Fertility: Self-fertile
Flowers: Hermaphroditic
Pollinator: Hawkmoths and other night-flying moths
Toxicity: Seeds and roots are poisonous if ingested and cause digestive upset; sap may irritate skin
Mirabilis jalapa | Habitat and Cultivation
Range
Native Range: Mexico and Central America
Companionship: Grown in ornamental borders and cottage gardens; escapes to waste ground and disturbed sites
Invasive Range: Naturalized across the tropics and warm temperate regions, including the Mediterranean, the warmer United States, Australia, New Zealand, Pacific islands, and East Africa
USDA Hardiness Zone: 8–11
Minimum Chill Hours Required: None
Resistance/Tolerance
Poor Soil: High tolerance
Drought: High tolerance once established – the tuber carries it through dry periods
Shade: Moderate tolerance – handles partial shade
Flood: Low tolerance
Wind: Moderate tolerance
Maritime: No confirmed data
Air Pollution: No confirmed data
Fire: Moderate tolerance – resprouts from the tuber
Thriving Conditions
Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil Moisture: Moderate; prefers well-drained soil
Soil Type: Sandy, loamy, or clay soils with good drainage
Soil pH: Mildly acidic to mildly alkaline, roughly 6.0–7.5
Propagation
Seeds: Yes – primary propagation method; readily self-seeds
Division: Yes – tubers can be lifted and divided in spring
Cuttings: No
Mirabilis jalapa | Functional Uses and Benefits
Permalogica cannot take any responsibility for any adverse reactions or health effects from using plants. Always consult a professional before using plants for medicinal purposes.
Edible: Young leaves are eaten cooked; flowers yield a crimson coloring for cakes and jellies; seeds and roots are toxic
Medicinal: Root traditionally used as a diuretic and purgative, and leaves for inflammation; clinical evidence is limited
Cosmetics: Yes – powdered seeds were historically used as a face powder
Animal Feed: No – seeds and roots are toxic
Fiber: No
Timber: No
Firewood: No
Wind Break: No
Fence: No
Cover Crop: No
Mulch: No
Nitrogen Fixer: No
Dynamic Accumulator: No confirmed data
Pollinator Attractor: Yes – fragrant evening flowers attract hawkmoths and other moths
Pest Repellent: No
Wildlife Supporter: Yes – nectar source for hawkmoths and other night-flying moths
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