Longflower Four O'Clock Plant Care
Mirabilis longiflora L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Mirabilis longiflora, also known as the sweet four o'clock or the long-flowered four o'Clock, is a species of flowering plant native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. The flowers open in the late afternoon and bloom through the night, hence the name.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–85°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Longflower Four O'Clock?
Water Longflower 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.
Where Is the Longflower Four O'Clock Native To?
What Is the Longflower Four O'Clock?
Longflower Four O'Clock (Mirabilis longiflora) belongs to the Nyctaginaceae family within the Mirabilis genus. Longflower Four O'Clock is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Longflower Four O'Clock is also known as Sweet Four O'Clock, Jalapa.
Longflower Four O'Clock displays a bushy perennial growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Longflower Four O'Clock produces colorful trumpet-shaped flowers in various shades.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Longflower Four O'Clock?
Mirabilis longiflora 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 Longflower Four O'Clock Need?
Longflower Four O'Clock thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Longflower Four O'Clock Prefer?
Mirabilis longiflora grows best at temperatures of 60–85°F. Longflower Four O'Clock prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–85°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Longflower Four O'Clock?
Well-draining sandy soil with added organic matter for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Longflower Four O'Clock to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Longflower Four O'Clock?
Feed Longflower 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 Longflower 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 Longflower Four O'Clock?
Longflower 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 Longflower Four O'Clock Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Longflower 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 Longflower Four O'Clock?
Longflower 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 Longflower Four O'Clock Need?
Longflower Four O'Clock grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Longflower Four O'Clock is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. In cooler regions, grow Longflower Four O'Clock as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Longflower 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.
Longflower 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 longiflora L., family Nyctaginaceae (first published in Kongl. Svenska Vetensk. Acad. Handl. (1755) 176. t. 6. f. 1.) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Longflower 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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