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Mirabilis Jalapa

4.5 out of 5 (4 experiences)

Survivor

Blooms easily

Also known as

Marvel of Peru, Marvel of Peru and Four O'Clock Flower

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Mirabilis jalapa

Genus

Mirabilis

Family

Nyctaginaceae

Order

Caryophyllales

How to care for Mirabilis Jalapa

💦 Water

How often to water your Mirabilis Jalapa

Mirabilis Jalapa needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Marvel of Peru in your home

Mirabilis Jalapa love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Mirabilis Jalapa does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Mirabilis Jalapa in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Mirabilis Jalapa

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Mirabilis Jalapa: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Mirabilis Jalapa after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #MarvelOfPeru

💡 FAQs

⭐ Difficulty Level

Mirabilis Jalapa is generally considered an easy-to-care-for plant and makes a great choice for beginners!

Benefits of Growing Marvel of Peru →

Common Marvel of Peru Problems →

💦 Water Needs

Mirabilis Jalapa prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Marvel of Peru Water Frequency →

Marvel of Peru Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Mirabilis Jalapa requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Marvel of Peru Light Requirements →

Marvel of Peru Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Mirabilis Jalapa is extremely dangerous if consumed. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian immediately. Mirabilis Jalapa is not recommended for homes with children, cats, or dogs.

Is Marvel of Peru Edible? →

Marvel of Peru Toxicity to Cats →

Marvel of Peru Toxicity to Dogs →

Marvel of Peru Toxicity to Humans →

🪴 Soil

Mirabilis Jalapa does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!

Best Soil Mix for Marvel of Peru →

When and How to Successfully Repot Marvel of Peru →

What Are Healthy Marvel of Peru Roots →

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Mirabilis Jalapa grows vertically and new growth will emerge from the top of the plant.

Marvel of Peru Lifecycle →

Marvel of Peru Size Guide →

How and When to Prune Marvel of Peru →

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Mirabilis Jalapa can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 7a-11b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Marvel of Peru Temperature Tolerance →

Marvel of Peru Hardiness Zones →

Is Marvel of Peru a Weed? →

🌱 Propagation

Mirabilis Jalapa can be propagated by division into new individual plants.

Check to see if there is more than one plant. In some cases they may still be beneath the soil surface. If you feel confident, you may remove the soil to check for baby plantlets below!
If there are multiple plants growing, unpot the plant and gently tug the plants apart, being careful not to disturb too many of the roots. They may be connected by large root segments which you may need to break to free the plantlet.
Pot up the new plant in well-draining soil
Repot the parent plant back into its original pot

How to Propagate Marvel of Peru →

🍂 Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.

Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Mirabilis Jalapa, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.

Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.