Long-Flower Gaura
Oenothera filiformis
Last reviewed: August 2026
Long-Flower Gaura is a slender, wiry prairie forb that blooms from June through September, drawing bees and moths to dry, sunny grasslands and open woodland edges.
Toxicity unknown
Long-Flower Gaura (Oenothera filiformis) 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
full sun
Water
low
Size
12"–24" H × 6"–12" W
Bloom
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Native to
AL, AR, CO, IA and 14 more states
Pollinators
bees, moths
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
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Thread-leaf evening primrose is a delicate annual wildflower with narrow, thread-like foliage and small yellow flowers that open in the evening. This compact plant blooms from June through September and thrives in sunny, dry conditions with minimal care.
Growing Long-Flower Gaura
Grow Long-Flower Gaura in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 12 to 24 inches tall and spread 6 to 12 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Long-Flower Gaura 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.
- Annual lifecycle means gaps in coverage
- Thread-like foliage can appear sparse or weedy
- Evening primrose family often viewed as wildflower rather than ornamental
Wildlife value
The evening-blooming flowers attract night-flying moths and other nocturnal pollinators. Bees also visit the flowers during daytime hours when blooms remain open.
Common questions
- When does Long-Flower Gaura bloom?
- It typically flowers from June through September, with small white to pink blossoms opening along tall, wispy stems.
- What pollinators visit Long-Flower Gaura?
- Bees and moths are the main visitors, drawn to the plant's evening-opening flowers for nectar.
- How much water does this plant need?
- It prefers low to moderate moisture and handles dry spells well once established, making it suited to well-drained soils.
- What light conditions does Long-Flower Gaura need to thrive?
- Full sun is ideal, though it can tolerate light afternoon shade and still bloom reliably.
- Is Long-Flower Gaura HOA-friendly?
- Long-Flower Gaura 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 the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). 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
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Long-Flower Gaura? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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