Macfarlane's four o'clock Plant Care
Mirabilis macfarlanei Constance & Rollins
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Mirabilis macfarlanei is a rare species of flowering plant in the four o'clock family known by the common name MacFarlane's four o'clock. It is native to Idaho and Oregon in the United States, where it is only known from three river canyons.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–85°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Macfarlane's four o'clock?
Water Macfarlane's 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 Macfarlane's four o'clock Native To?
What Is the Macfarlane's four o'clock?
Macfarlane's four o'clock (Mirabilis macfarlanei) belongs to the Nyctaginaceae family within the Mirabilis genus. Macfarlane's four o'clock is native to Idaho and Oregon in the United States.
Macfarlane's four o'clock displays a bushy perennial growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Macfarlane's four o'clock produces colorful trumpet-shaped flowers in various shades.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Macfarlane's four o'clock?
Mirabilis macfarlanei 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 Macfarlane's four o'clock Need?
Macfarlane's four o'clock thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Macfarlane's four o'clock Prefer?
Mirabilis macfarlanei grows best at temperatures of 60–85°F. Macfarlane's four o'clock prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–85°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Macfarlane's four o'clock?
Well-draining sandy soil with added organic matter for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Macfarlane's four o'clock to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Macfarlane's four o'clock?
Feed Macfarlane's 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 Macfarlane's 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 Macfarlane's four o'clock?
Macfarlane's 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 Macfarlane's four o'clock Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Macfarlane's 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 Macfarlane's four o'clock?
Macfarlane's 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 Macfarlane's four o'clock Need?
Macfarlane's four o'clock grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Macfarlane's four o'clock is native to Idaho and Oregon in the United States. In cooler regions, grow Macfarlane's four o'clock as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Macfarlane's 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.
Macfarlane's 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 macfarlanei Constance & Rollins, family Nyctaginaceae (first published in Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington 49: 148 (1936)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Macfarlane's 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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