Desert Four O'Clock Plant Care
Mirabilis laevis (Benth.) Curran
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Mirabilis laevis, the desert wishbone-bush, is a recently redefined species of flowering plant in the four o'clock family. Distribution is in the Southwestern United States and northwest Mexico.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–85°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Desert Four O'Clock?
Water Desert Four O'Clock every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–85°F (16–29°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Desert Four O'Clock?
Desert Four O'Clock (Mirabilis laevis) belongs to the Nyctaginaceae family within the Mirabilis genus. Desert Four O'Clock is also known as California Four O'Clock, Smooth Four O'Clock.
Desert Four O'Clock displays a bushy perennial growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Desert Four O'Clock produces colorful trumpet-shaped flowers in various shades.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Desert Four O'Clock?
Mirabilis laevis requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Desert Four O'Clock Need?
Desert Four O'Clock thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Desert Four O'Clock Prefer?
Mirabilis laevis grows best at temperatures of 60–85°F. Desert Four O'Clock prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–85°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Desert Four O'Clock?
Well-draining sandy soil with added organic matter for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Desert Four O'Clock to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Desert Four O'Clock?
Feed Desert Four O'Clock every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Desert Four O'Clock?
Repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Desert Four O'Clock?
Desert Four O'Clock can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to four o'clock flower plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Desert Four O'Clock Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Desert Four O'Clock, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Desert Four O'Clock?
Desert Four O'Clock is susceptible to aphids, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Desert Four O'Clock Need?
Desert Four O'Clock grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. In cooler regions, grow Desert Four O'Clock as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Desert Four O'Clock is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Mirabilis genus — compare its care with other Mirabilis species on PlantoScan.
Mirabilis is part of the Nyctaginaceae plant family — browse all Nyctaginaceae genera and species.
Desert Four O'Clock thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Mirabilis Species
Other Mirabilis species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Mirabilis laevis (Benth.) Curran, family Nyctaginaceae (first published in Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci. ser. 2, 1: 235. 1888) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Desert Four O'Clock, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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