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How to Grow Evening Primrose (Oenothera) and Possible Problems

Published on August 30, 2017Last updated October 18, 2021 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

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There are numerous species in the evening primrose genus (Oenothera). Some go by the common name “evening primrose” while others are known as “sundrops.” Each can add a beautiful burst of color to the garden and benefit native wildlife including pollinators.

For more cottage-style plant options, also see growing tips for hollyhocks, lilac, and peonies.

Evening primrose blooming in the garden.

Growing Evening Primrose

Yellow evening primrose flowers.

Evening Primrose | Genus: Oenothera

Evening primrose yellow flowers and bee.

Herbaceous flowering plant
• Hardiness zones 3 to 9
• Full sun – at least 6 total hours of direct sun per day
• Light loam or sandy soil
• Some Oenothera flowers open just in evening, evolving with specific evening pollinators.
• Check your specific variety for any known aggressive reseeding or spreading.

  • Evening Primrose Growing Guide

Evening primrose (Oenothera) is one of many flowering perennials in my own cottage-style garden.

It started with a single plant and over just a few years has spread quite assertively in the sandy soil.

But, unlike horrific invasive or aggressive plants that spread by root-runners deep in the soil, evening primrose is not hard to control.

If I want a wide swath of yellow, I leave it alone. If I want to reduce it, I both divide the plants and cut back the flowers after blooming (to prevent seeds from forming).

Evening primrose growing in the garden.
Evening primrose growing in the garden

Contents

  • Evening Primrose Species
  • Oenothera Plant Facts & Growing Tips
  • Frequently-Asked Questions
  • Resources

Evening Primrose Species

Evening primrose flowers.
Evening primrose blooms

There are quite a number of Oenothera varieties (145 species), with different shapes and colors (yellow, pink, white). I am very fond of the Oenothera fruticosa (“sundrops”) with bold, yellow cup-like flower petals and orange-red stamens. The flower buds also have a gorgeous deep red color which stands out in the spring garden.

Here in my sandy, very well-draining soil, they spread fairly rapidly, forming colonies throughout the garden beds. Every year or two I remove a bunch to keep them in check.

Which Oenothera are considered native will depend on your location.

Species Examples

These are all attractive to various specialist bees, hummingbirds, and moths and act as larval host plants (plants a species requires for survival) for various species of wood-nymphs, sphinx, and more.

  • Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis)
    • Biennial | Blooms mid-summer to fall
  • Meadow Sundrops or Prairie Sundrops or Meadow Evening Primrose (Oenothera pilosella)
    • Herbaceous perennial, Carolinian species, spreads well | Blooms late spring to early summer
  • Narrow Leaf Evening Primrose or Sundrops (Oenothera fruticosa)
    • Herbaceous perennial | Blooms summer to fall

Oenothera Plant Facts & Growing Tips

Evening primrose flowers.
Evening primrose yellow flowers
  • Family | Onagraceae
  • Genus | Oenothera (ee-no-THEE-ruh)
  • Species | 145+ species
  • Common names | Evening primrose, suncups, yellow sundrops, meadow sundrops…
  • Origin | Mexico and Central America, parts of North America
  • Types | There are annual, biennial, and perennial varieties
  • USDA Hardiness Zones | 3 to 9
  • Height | Most grow 12 to 36-inches tall but there are tall exceptions
  • Spacing | 12 inches although some spread in tight colonies
  • Light | Full sun or close to it
  • Soil | Light loam or sand, well-draining
  • Flower Times | summer – can deadhead or cut back to reduce self-seeding
  • Colors | Yellow, pink, white
  • Fertilizer | Not required
  • Pollinators | bees, moths, other insects
  • Larval Host Plant | several native insect species
  • Propagation | Divide plants or sow seeds (spreads nicely on its own)
  • Problems | Can be invasive or aggressive by seeds or spreading. Check before planting. May get powdery mildew or leaf spot.
  • Trivia | Despite the common name evening primrose, they are not closely related to primroses (genus Primula). Many Oenothera flowers open in the evening, attracting vespertine bees that forage at that time of day. There are many claims that evening primrose oil (a fatty acid) is effective in cancer treatments, acne prevention, relief of menstrual symptoms, eczema relief, hastening child birth labor (and more).

Wildflowers blooming in the garden.

Related: Want Lots of Pollinators? Grow a Diverse Selection of Plants


Frequently-Asked Questions

Evening primrose growing near delphinium and bird bath.
Yellow evening primrose with purple delphiniums and pink rose campion
Is evening primrose invasive?

Yes, some evening primrose is invasive or aggressive in some areas. There are both perennial and annual varieties. Before planting, check what is native or non-native in your region.

Here in southwestern Ontario, Canada, I find the roots require division each year as they expand rapidly. I also cut the plants back after flowering to stop them from producing and sowing seeds. Thankfully, it is easy to reduce or remove.

Can I grow evening primrose in containers?

Yes, you can grow evening primrose in containers. I think you can grow just about anything in a container so long as you have adequate root space, good potting mix, provide light and water as needed, and have suitable winter storage.

I keep various perennials in containers and put them in the shed or garage from fall to spring. A hand cart / hand truck makes it much easier to move them around.

Do any creatures rely on evening primrose?

Animals reliant on evening primrose include Schinia felicita and S. florida moths that feed exclusively on the Oenothera genus.

Pollination is provided by various moths, bees, and insects, although the structure of the flower limits the number of capable pollinators.

Some evening primrose open their flowers in the evening and are therefore used by nocturnal pollinators like moths.

Do I need to prune evening primrose plants?

It’s not necessary to prune evening primrose for basic plant health but perennial varieties can be cut back after blooming to prevent the forming of seeds if you don’t want them self-seeding.

Resources

Find Your Frost Dates & Hardiness Zone

Plant Hardiness Zones | United States flag United States | Canadian flag Canada
These are listed on seed packets and plant tags to guide your choices.

Average Frost Dates | Use this calculator at Almanac.com. Enter your city and state or province to find your first and last frost dates and number of frost-free days.

Ecoregion | Learn about local native plants, animal species, and environmental conditions to make garden choices that benefit your ecosystem.

Learn More: Understanding Frosts & Freezing For Gardeners

Happy gardening! And be sure to sign up for the free newsletter.

~Melissa the Empress of Dirt ♛

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Yellow evening primrose flowers.
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Melissa J. Will - Empress of DirtWelcome!
I’m Melissa J. Will a.k.a. the Empress of Dirt (Ontario, Canada).
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