Four O'Clock

Mirabilis jalapa

Family: NyctaginaceaeOrigin: Mexico to Central America

Afternoon Bloomer
Fragrant

Pet & Human Safety

People: Toxic to people (low severity)Pets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them

Hazardous parts

roots, seeds

Preparation

not applicable: not a food crop

Hazard type

gastrointestinal (stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea if eaten), skin irritation from handling roots

Hazard route

ingestion of roots/seeds; skin contact with roots

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Toxic to pets

No ASPCA entry found.

Not on the ASPCA cat or dog plant lists. see the hazard information below for a separate, low-severity human-toxicity finding for the roots and seeds specifically, which is a reasonable caution to extend to curious pets even without a formal pet-specific finding, though that extension isn't confirmed as such in the sources checked.

PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

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Care

Hardiness zones: 9a - 10b as a perennial (NC State Extension); grown as an annual farther north (e.g., zone 8)
Mature size: Space plants 12 in to 3 ft apart.

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

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