Oenothera murdockii Plant Care

Oenothera murdockii S.L.Welsh & N.D.Atwood

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Oenothera flava, the yellow evening primrose, is a species of flowering plant in the family Onagraceae. It is native to western Canada, the western and central United States, and Mexico, and it has been introduced to the former Czechoslovakia.

Water

Every 7–10 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

60–80°F

Humidity

40–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Oenothera murdockii?

Water Oenothera murdockii 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 Oenothera murdockii Native To?

Native range3 countries

What Is the Oenothera murdockii?

Oenothera murdockii (Oenothera murdockii) belongs to the Onagraceae family within the Oenothera genus. Oenothera murdockii is native to western Canada, the western and central United States, and Mexico, and it has been introduced to the former Czechoslovakia.

Oenothera murdockii displays an upright, clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Oenothera murdockii produces large, showy yellow or pink blooms that open in the evening.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Oenothera murdockii?

Oenothera murdockii 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 Oenothera murdockii Need?

Oenothera murdockii thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Oenothera murdockii Prefer?

Oenothera murdockii grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Oenothera murdockii prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

60–80°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Oenothera murdockii?

Well-draining, sandy soil with a neutral pH. Good drainage is essential for Oenothera murdockii to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Oenothera murdockii?

Feed Oenothera murdockii 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 Oenothera murdockii?

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 Oenothera murdockii?

Oenothera murdockii 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 Oenothera murdockii Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Oenothera murdockii, 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 Oenothera murdockii?

Oenothera murdockii 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 Oenothera murdockii Need?

Oenothera murdockii grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Oenothera murdockii is native to western Canada, the western and central United States, and Mexico, and it has been introduced to the former Czechoslovakia. In cooler regions, grow Oenothera murdockii as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 13a

Keep exploring plants

Oenothera murdockii 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.

Oenothera murdockii 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 murdockii S.L.Welsh & N.D.Atwood, family Onagraceae (first published in Rhodora 103: 86 (2001)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Oenothera murdockii, 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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