Heartleaf Four O'Clock
Mirabilis nyctaginea
- Native to:
- Canada, Mexico, United States
sonnia hill
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Nyctaginaceae
- Genus:
- Mirabilis
- Species:
- Mirabilis nyctaginea
- USDA Symbol:
- MINY
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 120 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- pink, purple, magenta
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Heliodines cliffordi, Heliodines ionis, Heliodines nyctaginella, Heliodines tripunctella, Lithariapteryx abroniaeella, Nealyda bifidella, Triprocris smithsonianus
Reported Fauna Sightings
Moths:Neoheliodines nyctaginella
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, moths, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from deep taproot following fire or top removal. Common in disturbed prairie habitats.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- good drainage preferred
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- thrives in disturbed areas like roadsides
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily after cold stratification. Can also be direct sown in fall for natural stratification.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI