Plant profile: Night Blooming Primrose
Night blooming primrose (latin: Oenothera flava) is a really fun plant to have in your garden, as the flowers open right before your eyes! Individual flowers open at different rates of speed, taking anywhere from 30 seconds to a few minutes (and then there’s the odd one that gets stuck and doesn’t open at all.) And all the action takes place at dusk.
In our house we’ve nicknamed our Oenothera “the entertainment plant” as we will sometimes go out to the garden after dinner just to sit and watch it bloom.
The blooms only last one night, usually shrivelling and fading to an orangey pink by noon the following day.
The leaves are shaped a lot like dandelion leaves. For that reason, I’m always worried about accidentally “weeding” it every spring, when it’s still small!
I did a stop-motion video of a few of our flowers blooming. Take a look:
I’ve read that this night blooming primrose is sometimes called Nine-O-Clock (because it blooms at dusk) or stemless primrose (because the flowers come right from the base of the plant, not off of a central stem). There are several varieties of night blooming primrose, some of which are taller than this one, and others that grow more like a creeper but have bigger flowers. I’ve had a couple of the other varieties but have never seen any of the others open this fast.
It’s a perennial plant in my area, and is listed as growing in zones 5 to 8. It likes full sun, but other than that, doesn’t seem too fussy.
I’ve also heard (don’t know if it’s true) that in Australia people place bets on which bloom in a patch will open, and how fast!
Have you ever grown this plant? What do you think about it? Please leave a note in the comments section below.
Update August 10, 2018: I’ve written a related post on how to save the seeds from Night Blooming Primrose
My mom had these in her garden and after dinner we would sit on the patio and watch the “moon flowers” open. I would love to find starters for my own garden…..
“Moon flowers” is a great name for them! I’ve heard that it can be challenging to find plants. I believe that Lost Horizons nursery in Acton, Ontario sells them, but I don’t believe they offer mail order services.
Hi, i had never heard of these but neighbour gave me some last summer, and they’ve been a spectacular success in my sunny garden. The daily evening entertainment now is to sit out and watch them open, and then count them. The record has been 47 blooms one evening, from 3 plants! Have you ever divided them? They’re getting too big and I’d love to be able to give some away too. It’s very hard to find any info on them.
Hi heather
I was wondering if I could buy some of these from you
My email is nannybeattie@hotmail.com
I have been searching for ever
Thank you
Hello, I stumbled on this thread and I was hoping maybe someone would help me- I’ve been searching everywhere for these and haven’t had any luck. Could you perhaps spare some seeds? My email is jenavery2.0@gmail.com
Outsidepride Oenothera Evening Primrose Yellow Wild Flowers – 5000 Seeds https://a.co/d/9MZhZXQ
These seeds are for a different type of Oenothera than I have written about in this post.
Hey Jen, where are you located ?
I sell these every year and have some potted up and ready to go.
If your close to Illinois I know someone who would love some
If anyone has seeds or plants they would like to sell please email me. Foberts@comcast.net
It would be much appreciated.
I have them growing all over! I live in New York on the border of PA. I will gladly mail you seed when I see the seeds. First one to bloom was last night May 23 2023
Hi
I would love some seeds … I grew these many years ago and my kids had fun watching them open at night. Would love to share the same experience with my grandchildren .
Thanks
My email address is
Kdywan@gmail.com
Dear MaryLou,
I would love to have some seeds for Oenathera Flava. I used to grow it years ago, but can no longer find seeds for it. It is really beautiful and such a thrill to watch bloom at dusk. Thank you.
joan.kargul.baldiga@gmail.com
Hello! I got some of these plants from my mother in law when they moved out of their house and I only have one left. Would you be able to tell me how to harvest the seeds? Thank you!! I am in PA too!
Hello,
I would greatly appreciate seeds for this wonderful plant. I live in Michigan and have a agro permit to receive seeds from other countries. Please let me know – thank you.
Hello does anyone know where I could get seeds or plants. I have not had luck with online searches
Please share with me if you found where to get these at. I had them once before and I would love to get a start again.
Thank you!
Thanks for the lead, I’m on a mission and hope to find a source. I also heard of a mail order business here in Michigan where I live. Hope to check it out this week.
I have these and live in MI. They return every year and multiply. Amazon has seeds for this.
Sophie, What should I use for the search on Amazon? Just “moon flowers”? Thanks!
Night blooming primrose (latin: Oenothera flava)
Are you in MI by chance?
Contact Walter Synes at buddynfo@hotmail.com He has a few for sale.
I, too am searching for a source for getting this plant. My family had them growing up, but they vanished from lack of cultivation in the North Carolina sun. If anyone finds a source, please post! Alternately, i would pay anyone who has a stand of these to ship some my way!
Amazon has seeds
I have these growing around my pond they have started to multiply now after having two of them for a few years, A friend of mine had them and she gave me two plants.
I would love some seeds if you could mail them.
I received a packet of seeds from a friend. This variety is a bit taller (3 feet) but otherwise the same.
I thought I had a source for these plants but unfortunately it is no longer a viable option. So I’m back on the hunt…
We had them around our pond for years and I put a couple of them in pots to take with us when we moved this spring and haven’t put them in the ground yet. It’s been 3 months and they are doing really well in the pots.
I have a healthy plant in a flower pot and wanted to know how to keep it over winter
I had some years ago but- through a series of unfortunate events that started with potting them to get them out of the way of some construction- they have all been murdered. I would love some seeds to re-start.
Hello! I, too, had these growing up, and was successful in planting seeds last summer from my Mother’s yard, which produced lovely flowers this year. I’d be glad to mail some seeds to whomever would like some.
Hi. I see this was posted some time ago and don’t know if you’ll see this or if the offer is still available. I too grew up with these and would love some seeds, if offer is still available. Thank you…..Val
Hi Val!
Please send your address to me at Terri.Hudson27@gmail.com and I will mail seeds to you.
Regards,
Terri
Hi Terri. I was wondering if you still had seeds. I have been searching for this flower for a long time. Are they the shorter ones? I saw someone posted they received some from a friend and they were about 3 feet tall.
Thank you.
Hi Val. I was wondering if you received the seeds and if you were able to get them to grow. I am in search of this flower too.
hello Terri if possiable could you send me some seeds. i love this plant, but i can’t find any plants or seeds for sale in the u.s.
Hi Terry
Are you still able to sell some seeds for these plants
nannybeattie@hotmail.com
IAM in Ontario Canada. Do u still have sees u can share?
Thanks Barbara
Wow, Terri C.. I have been unable to locate a source for plants or seeds. My mom had them growing in her yard years ago. I would absolutely love to have a start for my own yard!’
Terri C. any chance you could send me some of the seeds you have? Or is there anyone else have seeds available??
Absolutley! Just let me know where to send them : )
I have this plant at the house I bought, could you please let me know how to save the seeds then I could give them to people
Hi Lill, thanks for the suggestion–I’ve just published a post with this info. There’s now a link to it at the bottom of this post (scroll up from the comments) or you can use the search function on the top toolbar to find it. Hope it’s helpful for you!
Hello!
I just kept a ‘branch’ of the plant in a ziploc bag and let it dry out. Then the seeds fell out inside the bag – lots of them! It didn’t bloom the first year, but did the following summer.
I hope this helps!
For many different plants I have put the spent bloom in an envelope. When it is dry the seeds fall out. Don’t forget to LABEL it; that seems to be my biggest problem.
If you have seeds for Oenothera flava I would like some.
Nancy, please check your email for a message from me on July 23rd at 9:35 a.m.
Absolutley! Just let me know where to send them : )
Terri, I would be thrilled if you could send me some seeds!!
My address is 3394 English Hills Dr NW Walker, MI 49544
Thank you so much I’m advance!!
I’ll mail some tomorrow!
Thank you Terri!! That makes my heart happy!! I’ll certainly keep you posted!
It makes my heart happy to share the seeds that I’ve been blessed with!
Terri, so sorry for the delay I’m getting back with you. I did receive the seeds from you and am very excited to get them in the ground. My schedule has forced me to delay the planting until after the Labor Day weekend. My plan is to plant just a few then and watch them carefully as the growing season in Michigan will be soon coming to an end…. I plan on keeping the rest of the seeds and will plant the rest in the spring. I know if I can get the safely established, they will grow like weeds!! I will keep you posted and thanks again!
Are these perennials?
Yes they are. When my mom had them growing in her flower beds they returned every year. The hard part was recognizing them on the spring. The leaves looked very much like dandelion leaves, so we had to be careful not to “weed them out” One established they spread rapidly each year!
Thanks.
I would LOVE IT if someone could send me some seeds.
Hi Erin!
I have lots of them and would be glad to send some your way.
Please respond to: Terri.hudson27@gmail.com
I’m in the Niagara region of Ontario. It took me years to find replacement night blooming primrose plants to replace ones that I accidentally killed by dead heading their wilted blossoms. I’m thrilled to have new ones in my garden.
I didn’t realize dead heading would kill them, Judy. Good to know! Thanks!
Hi there,
The posts here are a joy to read. I was searching online to find out which type of primroses I have at my home in Michigan, when I found this blog. These special flowers have a magical way of bringing people together, I believe.
I have this same wonderful kind of yellow, long stem, fast-blooming primrose flower and was lucky to hold onto them. I originally inherited them at my last home of 20 years and loved to watch their evening blooms. They were my favorites and it is great to finally know their strain, thanks to this blog!
Two years ago I moved and quickly afterward lost the batch I had transferred. Our first summer here consequently went on without my beloved flowers. The lady who bought my house immediately went to work on gutting the entire flower garden areas of the yard. (Broke my heart!) My sister had taken and rescued some batches though (thankfully!), while on a chance visit with me a few days after I had handed over keys to the old house.
My sis kept them going and later brought me a rescue batch…Best little sister ever! I have moved them three times around the yard at my new house. No blooms came but the plants endured. Finally, with the last transplant mission, I found a perfect spot in my yard and the primroses are flourishing. Happy ending here, as the last two nights have been healthy blooms.
My long stem yellow primroses are spreading fast and I am so happy to have them back. We call them the moon lilies at my house… We are really happy and fortunate to have back our family’s evening moon lily show. It was so nice to read stories here about how these enduring flowers have a special place with other homes and families, too.
Happy Independence Day, everyone!
Wow, you had to go through quite a lot to keep your primroses, Cathy. Yay for your sister! I wish people wouldn’t rip out gardens when they buy (especially when they don’t yet understand what they’re ripping out).
We had some night blooming primrose that opened as we watched them. However, our plants were about 3 feet tall. Unfortunately, we no longer have any left. Does anyone know where I can get any of the taller ones? I would appreciate any help.
Hi Barb!
I’ve got seeds if you’re interested. We just planted some indoors hoping we can move them outside once the weather permits.
Let me know and I’ll put some seeds in the mail to you.
Take care,
Terri
Hello, this is a long shot – – but I am looking for seed for this primrose Oenthera Flava and I see you may have some. I would gladly purchase some from you if you have any available. I live in NC Blue Ridge foothills – – have retired here and filling our cottage garden with perennials – – – I so miss this plant.
I am so in search of the seeds, the one that is not tall. Has the look of dandelion leaves, I think sometimes that is its downfall. Mistaken identity!
Are you still looking for seeds for this plant?
I would love to purchase seeds of these plants as well my family had them as I was growing up and from move to move to move they have all dies off….. willing to pay to have them shipped for sure if anyone would be willing to share,,
Hello Kimberly,
Please send me an email and I will mail you some seeds – no charge : )
Terri
Terri.chastain27@gmail.com
I have been looking for seeds for these plants for 20 years. Growing up my family all had them growing in their yards. I have tried multiple times to transplant one from my parents, but they usually don’t survive the trip across the country too well. I got 1 bloom one year, but the plant didn’t come back the next year. Would anyone be able to send me some seeds? I would be forever grateful!
my email is mckinnis.april@gmail.com
thank you in advance
April
I live in Northern Ontario in a Zone 4 area and have had these plants in my garden for several years and they come back beautifully every year. They are hard to transplant since they have a tap root, but it can be done. I am hoping to be able to give some to a friend this year.
Hello! I have one plant that is growing like crazy and have been trying to see if I can divide it. You’ve had success? May I ask what you do? Thanks!
I had this in my old house but have never been able to find it again. Any idea where one can purchase the plant.
We lucked into some of these in the garden of a house we purchased and after we had to move away, we have been missing them. We’ve tried to find them (wishing we had dug them up and brought them with us!). If anyone finds a source, or if there are seeds available (we were neglectful gardeners and just let them spread), we’d be so appreciative.
Hello,
My wife and I had these for years, only to lose every single one with a premature spring in March, followed by a late heavy frost. We live in Maryland, and I believe the original plants came from the Buffalo, NY area. Willing to pay for plants/seeds, provided they are of the specific variety we previously had.
Subject variety has the following characteristics:
— Flourescent yellow flower which opens up at dusk, then dies off by early morning
— Plant’s leaves resemble those of a dandelion, but are perhaps a bit more slender.
— Plant stays close to the ground, with a height around 6-9 inches or so.
— Blooming season seems to be about 4-6 weeks starting late May / early June
Anyone wishing to contact me with further information can do so at CLDavis@myactv.net. Please put Night Bloomers in the title of the e-mail.
Thank You!!
I live in Buffalo, New York, and these are one of my favorites. I have a hard time keeping them in my garden beds because the rabbits love them! I’ve had pretty good success keeping them in pots. Last year I moved the pots to the garage for the winter and they came to life again this spring. I will have seeds in the fall.
For years, we have called them Midnight Dandelions.