Missouri primrose Plant Care
Oenothera macrocarpa Nutt.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Oenothera macrocarpa, the bigfruit evening primrose, Ozark sundrops, Missouri evening primrose, or Missouri primrose, is a species of flowering plant in the evening primrose family Onagraceae, native to northeast Mexico and the south-central United States, where it is found in calcareous prairies and limestone outcrops.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Missouri primrose?
Water Missouri primrose 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.
Where Is the Missouri primrose Native To?
What Is the Missouri primrose?
Missouri primrose (Oenothera macrocarpa) belongs to the Onagraceae family within the Oenothera genus. Missouri primrose is native to northeast Mexico and the south-central United States. Missouri primrose is also known as Largefruit evening primrose, Ozark sundrops.
Missouri primrose displays an upright, clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Missouri primrose produces large, showy yellow or pink blooms that open in the evening.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Missouri primrose?
Oenothera macrocarpa 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 Missouri primrose Need?
Missouri primrose thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Missouri primrose Prefer?
Oenothera macrocarpa grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Missouri primrose prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Missouri primrose?
Well-draining, sandy soil with a neutral pH. Good drainage is essential for Missouri primrose to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Missouri primrose?
Feed Missouri primrose 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 Missouri primrose?
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 Missouri primrose?
Missouri primrose 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 Missouri primrose Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Missouri primrose, 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 Missouri primrose?
Missouri primrose 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 Missouri primrose Need?
Missouri primrose grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Missouri primrose is native to northeast Mexico and the south-central United States. In cooler regions, grow Missouri primrose as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Missouri primrose 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.
Missouri primrose 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 macrocarpa Nutt., family Onagraceae (first published in Cat. Pl. Upper Louisiana no. 56. 1813 [ante August 1813]) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Missouri primrose, 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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