Also known as Four O'Clock · 24 gardener saves
Mirabilis: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Mirabilis, the genus most gardeners know as four o'clock. We track 3 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 3 most-saved Mirabilis varieties
Of 3 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedFour O'Clock
Mirabilis jalapa 'Baywatch'
#2 most savedLong-flowered Four O'Clock
Mirabilis longiflora
#3 most savedFour O'Clock Flower Limelight
Mirabilis jalapa 'Limelight'
How to grow Mirabilis
What the Mirabilis varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 3 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Mirabilis year
- PlantApril and May100% of varieties
Sow seeds or plant tubers after the danger of the last spring frost
- Lift & StoreOctober100% of varieties
Dig up tuberous roots after first frost and store in a cool, dry place
- DeadheadJuly–September67% of varieties
Remove spent flowers to maintain appearance and limit aggressive self-seeding
Do
- Water deeply once a week during dry periods 🌱
- Deadhead regularly to promote continuous flowering
- Apply a balanced fertilizer monthly during blooming season
- Water consistently during dry spells 🌱
- Prune after flowering to maintain shape
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Don’t let soil dry out completely
- Refrain from heavy pruning in late fall
- Overwater to prevent root rot ❌
What goes wrong with Mirabilis
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and curled leaves | Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap |
| Powdery Mildew | White powder on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply sulfur fungicide |
| Root rot | Wilting and yellowing leaves | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
| Powdery mildew | White powder on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide |
Making more Mirabilis
Cuttings
- Take 4-inch stem cuttings in early summer
- Remove lower leaves and dip in rooting hormone
- Plant in pot with moist soil
- Keep in bright, indirect light for 6 weeks
Seed
- Tuck seeds into moist soil in spring for best germination.
- Maintain soil temperature around 70°F for 2 weeks.
- Keep soil consistently moist during germination period.
Mirabilis questions
How many types of Mirabilis are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 3 distinct Mirabilis varieties. The most popular — ranked by 24 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Mirabilis grow in?
Across its varieties, Mirabilis covers USDA Zones 8–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Mirabilis bloom?
Most Mirabilis varieties bloom in summer to fall, summer to fall, mid-summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Mirabilis should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Mirabilis shows up in
By hardiness zone
Design with Mirabilis in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
