How to Grow Double Mirabelle
Double Mirabelle
Mirabilis jalapa 'Mirabelle'
flowerDouble Mirabelle is a stunning ornamental variety of four o'clock flower featuring fully doubled, ruffled petals in vibrant colors. The flowers open in late afternoon and close by morning, creating a dramatic evening display. It's a tender perennial often grown as an annual in cooler climates.
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Example Double Mirabelle timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Double Mirabelle
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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First Double Mirabelle blooms
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Double Mirabelle dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Zones 9-11 as perennial; zones 3-8 as annual
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Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny seedlings with cotyledons emerge, followed by first true leaves. Growth is relatively slow initially.
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide bright indirect light. Thin seedlings to proper spacing when they have 2-3 true leaves.
Vegetative
4-6 weeksPlant develops bushy foliage with increasingly thick stems and more numerous leaves. No flowers yet.
Pinch back growing tips to encourage branching and bushier growth. Water regularly. Apply balanced fertilizer every 3-4 weeks.
Budding
2-3 weeksTerminal buds form at branch tips. Flower buds begin to swell, creating anticipation for blooming.
Continue regular watering and fertilization. Avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen, which reduces flowering. Ensure adequate sunlight.
Flowering
8-12 weeks (continuous throughout season)Spectacular fully double, ruffled flowers open in late afternoon in mixed colors (red, pink, white, yellow, or striped). Flowers close by morning.
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming. Water during dry spells. Reduce nitrogen fertilizer; use higher phosphorus blend.
Seed Set & Decline
4-6 weeks until frostIf flowers are not deadheaded, seed pods form. Plant may slow flowering. In frost zones, plant declines with first frost.
Deadhead to prevent self-seeding and extend bloom. In warm zones, plants may produce small tubers for winter storage and spring regrowth.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with water to dislodge; use insecticidal soap or neem oil if severe. Increase humidity around plants.
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Use yellow sticky traps; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Remove heavily infested leaves.
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Spray with strong water stream; use insecticidal soap, neem oil, or horticultural oil. Encourage beneficial insects.
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Hand-pick in early morning or evening. Use copper tape barriers or slug baits. Remove debris and dense ground cover nearby.
Uses
Ornamental garden display
CulinaryDouble Mirabelle creates a dramatic evening spectacle in borders, containers, and cutting gardens. The ruffled double flowers add texture and visual interest, and the afternoon-to-evening bloom pattern makes them perfect for gardens enjoyed in the late day. [source]
Traditional folk remedies
MedicinalMirabilis jalapa roots have been used in traditional medicine in Central and South America for their purgative properties. Various plant parts have been studied for medicinal compounds. [source]
Cut flowers
CraftThe double flowers can be cut in late afternoon for evening arrangements. They will remain open through the night and close by morning, creating a unique living arrangement experience. [source]
Pollinator attraction
WildlifeThe evening-blooming flowers attract sphinx moths, evening primrose moths, and other nocturnal pollinators. The abundant nectar makes them valuable for night-flying insect species. [source]
Seed propagation and perennialization
HouseholdIn warm zones, tubers can be harvested and stored indoors over winter, then replanted in spring for reliable perennial performance. Seeds also self-sow readily in favorable conditions. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Four o'clock flowers are ornamental; enjoy them in the garden during late afternoon and evening. For seed collection, allow some flowers to set seed pods in late season. Collect dried seed pods in fall and store in cool, dry conditions. In zones 9-11, allow plants to die back naturally and harvest tubers for storage and spring replanting.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 The name 'four o'clock' refers to the plant's characteristic behavior of opening its flowers in late afternoon around 4 PM and closing them by morning—a phenomenon called 'nyctinasty.'
- 🌱 Double Mirabelle flowers often display a beautiful mix of colors on the same plant due to variegated flowers and striped petals, sometimes creating stunning color combinations on individual blooms.
- 🌱 Mirabilis jalapa contains a compound called bisphenol A (BPA) precursor and has been investigated for its potential in natural dye production, with roots historically used to create brilliant red colors.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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