When does cutleaf evening primrose bloom?

Cutleaf evening primrose blooms from June through September, with individual flowers opening in the late afternoon or evening and closing the next day.

What pollinators visit cutleaf evening primrose?

Bees and moths are the primary visitors, with moths often active at dusk when the flowers first open and remain fragrant.

What growing conditions does cutleaf evening primrose prefer?

It grows best in full sun to light shade on dry, sandy, or well-drained soils, and it tolerates poor or disturbed ground such as roadsides and open fields.

How much water does cutleaf evening primrose need?

This plant is drought tolerant and prefers low moisture conditions, doing poorly in consistently wet or poorly drained soil.

Is Cutleaf Evening Primrose HOA-friendly?

Cutleaf Evening Primrose takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Cutleaf Evening Primrose

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Oenothera laciniata

Last reviewed: October 2026

Oenothera laciniata is a low, sprawling forb with pale yellow flowers that open in late afternoon or evening and often fade to pink or orange. It blooms from June through September in open fields, roadsides, and sandy or disturbed soils.

Toxicity unknown

Cutleaf Evening Primrose (Oenothera laciniata) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

part sun

Water

low

Size

6"–24" H × 12"–24" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

AL, AR, DE, FL and 31 more states

Pollinators

bees, moths

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Northwestern Forested Mountains Arizona/New Mexico Mountains Chihuahuan Deserts High Plains Southwestern Tablelands Central Great Plains Great Plains Cross Timbers Edwards Plateau Southern Texas Plains Texas Blackland Prairies East Central Texas Plains Western Gulf Coastal Plain South Central Plains Eastern Temperate Forests Ozark Highlands Central Irregular Plains Northwestern Great Plains Piedmont Western Corn Belt Plains Southeastern Wisconsin Till Plains Central Corn Belt Plains Eastern Corn Belt Plains Southern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift Plains Huron/Erie Lake Plains Northeastern Coastal Zone Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain Northern Piedmont Southeastern Plains Blue Ridge Ridge and Valley Interior Plateau Interior River Valleys and Hills Mississippi Alluvial Plain Mississippi Valley Loess Plains Southern Coastal Plain Southern Florida Coastal Plain Madrean Archipelago Eastern Great Lakes Lowlands Atlantic Coastal Pine Barrens

Cut-leaf evening-primrose is a low-growing annual wildflower with deeply lobed leaves and bright yellow flowers that open in the evening. It blooms from June through September and thrives in sunny, dry conditions with minimal care. This native plant self-seeds readily and forms spreading patches in naturalized areas.

Growing Cutleaf Evening Primrose

Grow Cutleaf Evening Primrose in part sun and low water. Mature plants reach 6 to 24 inches tall and spread 12 to 24 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Cutleaf Evening Primrose takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Looks weedy and informal throughout growing season
Self-seeds aggressively and can appear unkempt
Annual nature means patches may be patchy or bare at times

Wildlife value

The evening-blooming flowers attract night-flying moths and other nocturnal pollinators. Bees also visit the flowers during daytime hours when they remain open.

Common questions

When does cutleaf evening primrose bloom?: Cutleaf evening primrose blooms from June through September, with individual flowers opening in the late afternoon or evening and closing the next day.
What pollinators visit cutleaf evening primrose?: Bees and moths are the primary visitors, with moths often active at dusk when the flowers first open and remain fragrant.
What growing conditions does cutleaf evening primrose prefer?: It grows best in full sun to light shade on dry, sandy, or well-drained soils, and it tolerates poor or disturbed ground such as roadsides and open fields.
How much water does cutleaf evening primrose need?: This plant is drought tolerant and prefers low moisture conditions, doing poorly in consistently wet or poorly drained soil.
Is Cutleaf Evening Primrose HOA-friendly?: Cutleaf Evening Primrose takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

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