Common evening-primrose - Oenothera biennis (Care, Characteristics, Flower, Images, Control)

Common evening-primrose

Also known as: King's cure-all, German rampion

Common evening-primrose is an herbaceous perennial plant recognized by its yellow flowers, which open in the evening and close again at sunrise. It is often cultivated as a decorative plant, especially in drought-prone areas. Native Americans cooked Oenothera biennis roots as a food source, but it is said that consumption of this plant could cause headaches and diarrhea.

Scientific classification

Species

Common evening-primrose (Oenothera biennis)

Instantly identify plants with a snap

Snap a photo for instant plant ID, gaining quick insights on disease prevention, treatment, toxicity, care, uses, and symbolism, etc.

Download the App for Free

Weeds

Weed or not

Biennial, Perennial, Annual

Lifespan

Herb

Plant Type

Summer, Fall

Bloom Time

Late summer, Early fall, Mid fall

Harvest Time

30 cm to 2 m

Plant Height

60 cm to 90 cm

Spread

Green

Leaf Color

2.5 cm to 5 cm

Flower Size

Green, Yellow, Gold

Fruit Color

Yellow, Gold

Flower Color

Green, Red, Yellow

Stem Color

Winter dormancy

Dormancy

Deciduous

Leaf type

20 - 35 ℃

Ideal Temperature

Spring, Summer, Fall

Growth Season

Rapid

Growth Rate

Images of Common evening-primrose

Attributes of Common evening-primrose

Growth Rate

With a rapid growth rate, common evening-primrose witnesses swift expansion during Spring, Summer, and Fall. Its fast-paced development includes accelerated leaf production, height increase, and profuse flowering that enhances its year-round beauty. The rapid growth speed permits common evening-primrose to adapt well to harsh conditions and thrive horticulturally. Particularly in Summer, the plant can burst into full blossom quickly, creating a spectacular nightly display.

Distribution of Common evening-primrose

Distribution Map

Common evening-primrose is native to eastern Canada through central Mexico. It has been widely introduced across Europe and Russia, Scandanavia and Asia. It is also present in parts of Africa and South America. It prefers disturbed areas including dunes, cultivated fields, prairies, and other grassy places.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Introduced

No species reported

Discover plant distribution and habitat

Gain insights into where plants thrive and how they adapt, helping you identify, cultivate, and protect them with essential information on habitats, distribution maps, and climate trends.

Download the App for Free

Habitat

Dunes, roadsides, railway banks, waste places

Hemisphere Trend Curve

Northern

Sorthern

Flowering

Fruiting

Culture

Garden Use

The upright growth and unusual leaves of common evening-primrose (Oenothera biennis) make for a diverting garden feature plant. The plant really comes into its own in summer and fall when its bright yellow flowers bloom, attracting butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. Common evening-primrose is suitable for beds and borders in cottage and informal gardens and is particularly attractive in combination with poppy, sage, and garden catchfly.

Symbolism

an unruly heart, inconstancy, infidelity

Interesting Facts

It is said that common evening-primrose was a drug used by ancient Indians thousands of years ago. This medicine comes from a beautiful flower, which blooms only at night. When evening comes, the flower will unfold slowly and wither at daybreak. It will only blossom for one night. This is the common evening-primrose.

Name Story

Common evening-primrose: This plant and primroses both have similar golden flowers, but it has a unique characteristic which it never blooms during day time. It will only slowly bloom during the evening and shuts right after the sun rises which makes it looks like it is specially designed to make the surrounding more beautiful during night time. As it's the most common species of the genus, it is called common evening-primrose.

Get quick plant knowledge with a snap

Snap a photo for instant plant identification and learn about its name, symbolism, interesting facts, uses, and more.

Download the App for Free

Weed Control

Common evening-primrose originated from eastern and central North America, but it is naturalized in temperate and subtropical regions around the world such as Europe and Japan. One of its alternative names is 'Weedy evening primrose', which should tell us something about its spreading habits. A mature plant produces many tiny seeds that spread easily in the environment. Common evening-primrose prefers sunny locations and loamy soils with sufficient nitrogen levels, and it can spread invasively in such locations, although it rarely outcompetes native vegetation.

Although common evening-primrose spreads easily, when you mechanically remove an undesired plant, it doesn't come back in the same spot.

How to Control It

The best time to control common evening-primrose is before it sets seed, typically in the late spring or early summer. Controlling it in this stage prevents further spreading.

Hand pulling: Pull common evening-primrose plants from their roots when soil is moist, ideally after rain, to get the entire root system.
Mulching: Apply a thick layer of organic material like straw or wood chips around desired plants to suppress common evening-primrose growth.
Mowing: Regularly mow the area where common evening-primrose grows to keep it from flowering and setting seeds.
Dense planting: Grow competitive plants that can shade out common evening-primrose, like tall perennials or thick groundcovers.
Boiling water: Carefully pour boiling water over common evening-primrose shoots to kill the plant without using chemicals.

Identify toxic plants in your garden

Find out what’s toxic and what’s safe for humans and pets.

Download the App for Free

Quickly Identify Common evening-primrose

Sturdy plant, 3-5 feet tall (90-150 cm), with lance-shaped leaves in rosette and on stem.

Striking yellow flowers, 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) wide, closing by morning, with cross-shaped petals.

Hairy, reddish-green upright stem, 3-5 feet tall (90-150 cm), with spirally arranged leaves.

Elliptic to lance-shaped leaves, 4-8 inches long (10-20 cm), light green, wavy-toothed margin.

Distinctive evening blooming pattern, lemon-yellow bowl-shaped flowers, closure in daytime heat.

Identify plants with a snap

Instantly identify plants with AI: Snap a photo, and get accurate results within seconds.

Download the App for Free

Care Guide for Common evening-primrose

Every week

Water

Full sun

Sunlight

20 - 35 ℃

Ideal Temperature

Water: Common evening-primrose thrives in well-drained soils with moderate moisture and prefers consistent hydration, tolerating brief dry spells. Weekly watering maintains optimal balance. As an outdoor herbaceous plant, it benefits from seasonal rain, ensuring adequate moisture without risk of over-saturation.

Fertilize: For optimal growth, common evening-primrose requires balanced fertilizers. Start fertilizing in early spring with high nitrogen monthly, then switch to a balanced feed during flowering, applying every other month. Water the soil before fertilizing, and adjust frequency with seasonal growth changes.

Pruning: Common evening-primrose is a biennial with tall stems and yellow flowers. Prune in early spring to foster growth and blooms, removing dead stems and spent flowers. Thinning overcrowded stems improves air circulation, reducing disease risk and enhancing the plant's health and appearance.

Propagation: The ideal propagation season for common evening-primrose is Spring, primarily via sowing. It has moderate difficulty. Key indicators of success are healthy roots and shoots, requiring well-draining soil and sufficient sunlight for optimal growth.

Get tips and tricks for your plants.

Keep your plants happy and healthy with our guide to watering, lighting, feeding and more.

Download the App for Free

Images of Common evening-primrose

Attributes of Common evening-primrose

Distribution of Common evening-primrose

Culture

Weed Control

Quickly Identify Common evening-primrose

Care Guide for Common evening-primrose

PEOPLE ALSO ASK

Common Pests & Diseases