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Small-flowered Gaura

Oenothera curtiflora

Last reviewed: August 2026

Small-flowered Gaura (Oenothera curtiflora)
Photo: Patrick Alexander from Las Cruces, NM / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)

Toxicity unknown

Small-flowered Gaura (Oenothera curtiflora) 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"–36" H × 6"–18" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

AR, AZ, CO, IA and 22 more states

Pollinators

bees, moths, butterflies

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 area

Browse plants for this ecoregion

North American DesertsNorthwestern Forested MountainsCentral Basin and RangeSouthern RockiesArizona/New Mexico MountainsChihuahuan DesertsHigh PlainsSouthwestern TablelandsCentral Great PlainsGreat PlainsCross TimbersEdwards PlateauSouthern Texas PlainsTexas Blackland PrairiesEast Central Texas PlainsWestern Gulf Coastal PlainSouth Central PlainsOzark HighlandsCentral Irregular PlainsNorthwestern Glaciated PlainsNorthwestern Great PlainsWestern Corn Belt PlainsDriftless AreaInterior River Valleys and HillsMississippi Alluvial PlainMadrean ArchipelagoSonoran Basin and Range

Small evening primrose produces delicate yellow flowers that open in the evening from June through September. This compact native wildflower forms neat clumps and thrives in sunny, dry locations with minimal care.

In an HOA neighborhood

Small-flowered 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.

  • Has a wild, weedy appearance that most HOAs would reject
  • Can spread aggressively and look unkempt
  • Flowers open at night when neighbors are less likely to appreciate blooms

Wildlife value

Evening-blooming flowers attract night-flying moths and other nocturnal pollinators, while daytime visitors include native bees and butterflies.

Common questions

How much sun does Small-flowered Gaura need?
Small-flowered Gaura grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Small-flowered Gaura bloom?
Small-flowered Gaura blooms in June, July, August, and September.
Where is Small-flowered Gaura native?
Small-flowered Gaura (Oenothera curtiflora) is native to AR, AZ, CO, IA and 22 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What pollinators does Small-flowered Gaura attract?
Small-flowered Gaura draws bees, moths, and butterflies.
Is Small-flowered Gaura HOA-friendly?
Small-flowered Gaura 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 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.

See all plant problem guides

Ready to grow Small-flowered Gaura? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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