April Plant of the Month

Mirabilis jalapa

Mirabilis jalapa
(Four-o-clock flower/Marvel of Peru)

The four-o-clock flower is said to have originated from the tropics of South America and India and was botanically recorded in 1753. It produces clusters of trumpet shaped flowers which usually open around four o clock and close the next morning.

The flowers come in many colours such as white, pink, purple, yellow, orange and multi-coloured and also give out a sweet fragrance when they open in the evening. The seeds resemble black peppercorns and can be easily collected for propagation.

This perennial herb usually grows to a height of about 3 to 4 feet from it's tuberous roots which look like sweet potatoes.

The native people of South America have long used the many parts of the four-o-clock plant as a tribal and herbal medicine to treat many ailments related to bacterial, fungal and viral diseases.

The flowers, leaves, roots and seeds are used by these people to treat anything from skin infections to internal disorders. In modern times, this poisonous plant is a valuable source of research in the field of medicine. As a companion plant, the four-o-clock has been effective in protecting plants of economic value by protecting them against viral diseases. 

Care: The four-o-clocks need well drained soil and full sun.  They need to be watered daily in hot weather and there is no need to fertilize them and are generally pest free. They are excellent as garden plants because of their colourful flowers and the sweet fragrance.

Propagation: In their original habitat, they are pollinated by moths and hummingbirds, however, they can be easily propagated by their large seeds and also by dividing the tuberous roots.

The four-o-clock is one of the easiest plant to grow from seeds and are suitable for children who would like to start their plants from seeds. However, it is a poisonous plant and caution is advised for indoors.