4 O'Clocks - Ask Extension
Can I plant vegetables in an area I have grown 4 O'clocks for 2 years. I have read the plant as well as the seeds are poisonous. Do 4 O'Clocks and the...
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4 O'Clocks #178125
Asked April 29, 2014, 5:25 PM EDT
Can I plant vegetables in an area I have grown 4 O'clocks for 2 years. I have read the plant as well as the seeds are poisonous. Do 4 O'Clocks and their tubers/seeds poison the soil??
Thank you, Saint Maries, Idaho
Thank you, Saint Maries, Idaho
Benewah County Idaho
Expert Response
When you say 4 O'Clocks, I am going to presume you mean Mirabilis jalapa, 4 O'Clock Flower or Marvel of Peru, which is an ornamental plant native to Peru as opposed to the many native 4 O'Clock flowers in our region.
With that in mind, your question is similar to one asked previously through eXtension so I will share that link:
https://ask.extension.org/expert/questions/60842
In short, while the seeds are considered poisonous and certain chemicals can be isolated from the roots to kill fish, there is no indication that the plants themselves "poison" the soil nor cause any concern for planting vegetables where you have previously grown 4 O'Clocks.
For more information on some native 4 O'Clocks, including some that are considered weeds, check the following sites:
http://extension.usu.edu/rangeplants/htm/four-o-clock
http://www.nwcb.wa.gov/detail.asp?weed=93
http://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/mirabilis_macfarlanei.shtml
With that in mind, your question is similar to one asked previously through eXtension so I will share that link:
https://ask.extension.org/expert/questions/60842
In short, while the seeds are considered poisonous and certain chemicals can be isolated from the roots to kill fish, there is no indication that the plants themselves "poison" the soil nor cause any concern for planting vegetables where you have previously grown 4 O'Clocks.
For more information on some native 4 O'Clocks, including some that are considered weeds, check the following sites:
http://extension.usu.edu/rangeplants/htm/four-o-clock
http://www.nwcb.wa.gov/detail.asp?weed=93
http://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/mirabilis_macfarlanei.shtml