Pale evening primrose
Oenothera pallida
Last reviewed: September 2026
Toxicity unknown
Pale evening primrose (Oenothera pallida) 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
8"–16" H × 12"–24" W
Bloom
May, Jun, Jul, Aug
Native to
AZ, CO, ID, KS and 10 more states
Pollinators
hawkmoths, bees
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.
Find rebates in your areaBrowse plants for this ecoregion
Low, spreading perennial with narrow, silvery leaves and large white flowers that open in the evening and fade to pink. Spreads by rhizome on dry sandy plains and roadsides.
In an HOA neighborhood
Pale 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.
- Low spreading growth habit may appear weedy to HOAs
- Evening blooming schedule means flowers often closed during day
- Can look sparse or untidy compared to traditional landscaping
Wildlife value
Host plant for white-lined sphinx.
Evening-opening flowers are an important nectar source for hawkmoths, including the white-lined sphinx, whose caterpillars also feed on the foliage.
Common questions
- How much sun does Pale evening primrose need?
- Pale evening primrose grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Pale evening primrose bloom?
- Pale evening primrose blooms in May, June, July, and August.
- Where is Pale evening primrose native?
- Pale evening primrose (Oenothera pallida) is native to AZ, CO, ID, KS and 10 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- What butterflies or moths does Pale evening primrose host?
- Pale evening primrose is a larval host plant for white-lined sphinx.
- Is Pale evening primrose HOA-friendly?
- Pale 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.
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
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 Pale evening primrose? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
Planning a bed around it? Start a free plan with this plant
Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz