Gaura Plant Care
Oenothera gaura W.L.Wagner & Hoch
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Oenothera gaura, formerly known as Gaura biennis, the biennial gaura or biennial beeblossom, is a North American flowering plant that can reach 6 ft (1.8 m) in height at maturity. Its upper half is made up of flowering stems, which are covered with soft, white hairs.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Gaura?
Water Gaura 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 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Gaura?
Gaura (Oenothera gaura) belongs to the Onagraceae family within the Oenothera genus. Gaura is also known as Whirling Butterflies.
Gaura displays an upright, clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Gaura produces large, showy yellow or pink blooms that open in the evening.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Gaura?
Oenothera gaura 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 Gaura Need?
Gaura thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Gaura Prefer?
Oenothera gaura grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Gaura prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Gaura?
Well-draining, sandy soil with a neutral pH. Good drainage is essential for Gaura to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Gaura?
Feed Gaura 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 Gaura?
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 Gaura?
Gaura can be propagated through seeds, division of root ball. Similar propagation techniques also apply to common evening primrose plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Gaura Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Gaura, 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 Gaura?
Gaura is susceptible to aphids, caterpillars, 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 Gaura Need?
Gaura grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. In cooler regions, grow Gaura as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Gaura 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 Oenothera genus — compare its care with other Oenothera species on PlantoScan.
Oenothera is part of the Onagraceae plant family — browse all Onagraceae genera and species.
Gaura thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Oenothera Species
Other Oenothera species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Oenothera gaura W.L.Wagner & Hoch, family Onagraceae (first published in Syst. Bot. Monogr. 83: 212 (2007)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Gaura, 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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