Evening primrose (Oenothera biennis)
Care, watering, light and tips for Evening primrose on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Onagraceae
- Difficulty: Easy to care for
- Watering: every 7 days
- Light: Partial shade
- Temperature: 10–30 °C
About Evening primrose
Oenothera biennis, commonly known as Evening Primrose or Common Evening-primrose, is a biennial herbaceous plant from the Onagraceae family, renowned for its striking yellow flowers that open at dusk, perfuming the garden throughout the night. It grows up to 1.5 meters tall, forming leaf rosettes in its first year and flowering stems in its second. It's perfect for cottage gardens, roadside plantings, or to add a touch of nocturnal mystery to any outdoor space.
Native range
North America: from southeastern Canada to the central and eastern United States.
Care tips
It prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soils, even poor or sandy ones. Once established, it's a drought-tolerant plant, so watering should be moderate, avoiding waterlogging. It doesn't require excessive fertilization and propagates easily from seed. A common mistake is attempting to transplant it in its second year, which often leads to failure due to its deep taproot.
How to save a dying Evening primrose
- Warning signs
- Yellowing or reddish leaves, weak or drooping stems, lack of flowering.
- First aid
- Move to full sun, ensure good drainage, and water moderately.
- What kills it
- Excessive shade or watering, waterlogged or undrained soil.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if the cause is corrected quickly and there's no severe rot.