The Four O’Clock flower, or *Mirabilis jalapa*, is a total showstopper in any garden. What makes it so cool? You’ll often see a single plant sporting flowers in several different colors at the same time! While these beauties are easy to grow, they aren’t fans of the cold. In our climate, you’ll need to dig up the tubers and store them somewhere frost-free for the winter.
Growing Mirabilis jalapa
This medium-sized perennial can reach about three feet in height. It gets all its energy from its underground tuber, which acts as a storage tank. Since that tuber can’t handle freezing temperatures, it has to come indoors for the winter. From June through October, you’ll be treated to clusters of fragrant, multicolored blooms. Fun fact: the flowers don’t open until late afternoon (hence the name “Four O’Clock”) and they stay open all through the night.
Starting from Seed
You can buy seeds or harvest them from plants you already have. Just a heads-up: the seeds are toxic, so definitely wear gloves when you’re handling them. You can get a head start on the season by sowing them indoors on a sunny windowsill starting in March. Here’s how:
- Gently scuff the seeds with a file or sandpaper to help them sprout.
- Soak the seeds in chamomile tea for at least 24 hours.
- Fill your starter pots with a low-nutrient seed-starting mix.
- Poke two seeds into each pot, cover with soil, and give them a drink.
- Pop a plastic bag over the pot to create a mini-greenhouse effect.
- Make sure to air them out occasionally so you don’t get mold.
- Place the pots on a bright windowsill.
Germination usually takes about two weeks. Once they sprout, take the bag off and keep the soil moist so the seedlings can thrive. Keep your young Four O’Clocks indoors until the last frost has passed (usually mid-May). Once the nights stay warm, you can move them into your garden beds or patio containers. Just be sure to space them at least 20 inches apart—they like to spread out both above and below the ground!
The Perfect Spot and Soil
Four O’Clocks love a sheltered, warm spot in full sun. They aren’t too picky, but they do best in loose, well-draining soil that’s rich in nutrients. Like most ornamental plants, they hate “wet feet,” so if you’re planting them in pots, make sure you add some drainage at the bottom to prevent waterlogging.
Planting the Tubers
If you’ve kept your tubers tucked away in a cool, frost-free room over the winter, you can put them back in the ground once the danger of frost is gone. Prep the area by loosening the soil and clearing out any weeds. Then, simply plant the tubers about an inch deep, and you’re good to go!
