Species marvel of Peru
dewy, purple-white flower with purple stamens and purple petiole, and shiny, green leaves

marvel of Peru

Mirabilis jalapa

Marvel of Peru (Mirabilis jalapa) is an eye-catching plant with beautiful bright, funnel-shaped flowers in shades of red, pink, orange, purple, and white. It is an annual plant with glossy green foliage, and clusters of bright flowers which open in the evening and remain open until morning. This easy-to-grow plant thrives in full sun and well-draining soils. Marvel of Peru is an excellent bee and butterfly attractant, making it a great addition to a garden. The flowers of this striking plant can also be used in cut flower arrangements adding an exotic touch.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Division,Seed Propagation,Cutting,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

9 - 11

Flowers:

Pink, rose, red, magenta, yellow, white Flowers

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Fruits:

yellow,purple,orange,pink Fruits Ready In Summer

Edible:

Yes

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,yellow,purple,pink,white

Growth Rate:

High

Maintenance:

Low

Poisonous To Humans:

Yes

Poisonous To Pets:

Yes

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Thorny:

Yes

Invasive:

Yes

Tropical:

Yes

Indoors:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Marvel of Peru is a unique annual flowering plant with fragrant blooms. It is best to give it 1 deep watering per week. Water thoroughly when soil dries to a depth of 2 to 3 inches. Avoid over watering that may lead to root rot. Make sure to plant it in a well-draining soil. If soil tends to hold water, it is advisable to mix compost into the soil to prevent standing water. This will also provide the necessary nutrients to help promote healthy growth of the plant. Watering can be done early in the morning or late in the afternoon.

sunlight

Marvel of Peru (Mirabilis jalapa) is a flower that prefers full sun when grown outdoors. It will tolerate partial sun, but it is best to provide an area of your garden that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Marvel of Peru can tolerate some afternoon shade in areas with high summer temperatures. Inside, the flower needs at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Provide direct sunlight in the morning or late afternoon for the best results. A south- or west-facing windowsill is an ideal spot for growing Marvel of Peru.

pruning

Pruning for Marvel of Peru should be done in the late fall or early spring. Make sure to remove and discard all weakened or diseased branches. Prune the shrub to maintain a desired shape or size. For a bushy plant, prune off about 1/3 of the older canes and leave the younger ones. For a more upright plant, cut the longest canes by half and trim back the sides and middle as needed. Prune back the flowering stems to just 1 or 2 nodes each. This will ensure larger, more profuse blooms.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Harvest Fruit

Harvesting of Mirabilis jalapa typically begins in July and continues through September.

Starts Flowering

Mirabilis jalapa typically starts flowering in July.

Harvest Fruit

Harvesting of Mirabilis jalapa typically begins in July and continues through September.

Hardiness Map