Heartleaf Four O'clock
Mirabilis nyctaginea
Last reviewed: June 2026
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
12"–36" H × 12"–24" W
Bloom
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Native to
WA
Pollinators
bees, moths
Browse plants for this ecoregion
Heartleaf four o'clock is a prairie wildflower that produces small, tubular pink or magenta flowers that open in late afternoon and evening. This drought-tolerant perennial forms a bushy clump with heart-shaped leaves and blooms continuously from summer through early fall. The plant goes dormant in winter, dying back to the ground before returning in spring.
In an HOA neighborhood
Heartleaf Four O'clock 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 compared to typical landscaping
- Dies back completely in winter leaving bare ground
- May self-seed and appear in unwanted locations
Wildlife value
The evening-opening flowers attract night-flying moths and sphinx moths, while bees visit during early morning hours before blooms close. Seeds provide food for birds and small mammals.
Native range data from the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
Does Heartleaf Four O'clock fit your yard? Open it in Pollinator Patch to check it against your sun, soil, and HOA-conscious filters.