Marvel Of Peru
Mirabilis jalapafam. Fourieraceae
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Pl. 3701 — Mirabilis jalapa
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IOverview
Overview
Marvel Of Peru (Mirabilis jalapa) is a colorful subshrub native to Central America, including countries such as Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and various regions of Mexico. This perennial plant thrives in full sun or partial shade with moist soil that can be light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay). It grows up to 0.6 meters tall and is known for its ornamental value, featuring vibrant flowers that range from white to pink, red, orange, and yellow. Marvel Of Peru is also edible; its leaves are often used in culinary applications as a condiment or coloring agent. This versatile plant has been introduced into numerous regions worldwide, including parts of Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, South America, and Oceania. Its adaptability to diverse climates and soil types makes it a popular choice for gardens and landscapes. Marvel Of Peru's light requirement and soil preferences make it suitable for cultivation in zones 7-10, where it can thrive as an ornamental and edible plant. While primarily used for its aesthetic appeal and culinary applications, caution should be exercised when handling the plant due to potential skin irritation from sap.
Quick answers
What is Marvel Of Peru?
Marvel Of Peru (Mirabilis jalapa) is a colorful subshrub native to Central America, including countries such as Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and various regions of Mexico. This perennial plant thrives in full sun or partial shade with moist soil that can be light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay).
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Marvel Of Peru thrives in full to partial sun and prefers moist soil that is light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay). It is hardy in zones 7-10 and can be propagated by seed or cuttings. This perennial reaches a height of about 0.6 meters and is suitable for both forb/herb and subshrub garden beds. For best results, ensure the soil remains consistently moist while providing ample sunlight. Leaves are edible and can be used in various culinary applications.
Light
Full sun, Partial sun/shade
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
7-10
Life cycle
Perennial
Habit
Forb/herb, Subshrub
Mature size
0.6 m tall
For first-time growers
How to grow Marvel Of Peru for the first time
8steps
Start with easy care and colorful Marvel Of Peru for a beginner gardener.
- 1
What you'll need
Seeds or seedlings, small pots if starting indoors, garden soil, water.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant outdoors after the last frost in spring, or start seeds indoors about 6 weeks before planting out.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Use well-draining soil; mix in compost if starting in containers. Ensure pots have drainage holes.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Direct sow seeds 0.5 inches deep, about 12-18 inches apart. Transplant seedlings when they have two sets of true leaves.
- 5
First two weeks
Water regularly to keep soil moist but not soggy. Provide partial shade if direct sun is too intense.
- 6
Ongoing care
Water deeply once a week, more often in dry spells. Fertilize lightly every 4-6 weeks with compost tea or diluted liquid fertilizer.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune back spent flowers to encourage new blooms and maintain plant shape. Remove any yellowing leaves for better air circulation.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting in heavy soil, not providing enough sunlight, neglecting to prune, using too much fertilizer.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:Leaves
Edible uses: Colouring, Condiment
Other uses:CosmeticDyeFragrance
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
11 native · 174 introduced
Distribution
11 native · 174 introducedDistribution across5 continents· 11 native· 174 introduced
Europe13 regions
introduced (13)AlbaniaAustriaBulgariaFranceGermanyGreeceItalyPortugalRomaniaRussiaSpainSwedenUnited Kingdom
Asia18 regions
introduced (18)BangladeshCambodiaChinaGeorgiaIndiaJapanKuwaitLaosNepalPakistanSaudi ArabiaSouth KoreaSri LankaThailandTurkmenistanUzbekistanVietnamYemen
Americas22 regions
native (5)BelizeEl SalvadorGuatemalaHondurasNicaragua
introduced (17)BahamasBoliviaColombiaCosta RicaCubaDominican RepublicFrench GuianaGuyanaHaitiJamaicaParaguayPeruPuerto RicoSurinameUnited StatesUruguayVenezuela
Africa31 regions
introduced (31)AlgeriaAngolaBeninBotswanaBurundiCabo VerdeCameroonComorosEthiopiaGambiaGuineaGuinea-BissauKenyaLibyaMalawiMauritiusMoroccoMozambiqueNamibiaNigeriaRwandaSenegalSeychellesSierra LeoneSomaliaSudanTanzaniaTunisiaUgandaZambiaZimbabwe
Oceania5 regions
introduced (5)FijiNauruNew CaledoniaSamoaTuvalu
Broader regions
native:Mexico Central, Mexico Gulf, Mexico Northeast, Mexico Northwest, Mexico Southeast, Mexico Southwest
introduced:Alabama, Argentina Northeast, Argentina Northwest, Arizona, Arkansas, Ascension, Bermuda, Brazil North, Brazil Northeast, Brazil South, Brazil Southeast, Brazil West-Central, California, Cape Provinces, Caroline Is., Cayman Is., Chagos Archipelago, Christmas I., Connecticut, Cook Is., Czechoslovakia, Desventurados Is., District of Columbia, East Aegean Is., East Himalaya, Easter Is., Florida, Free State, Galápagos, Gilbert Is., Gulf of Guinea Is., Illinois, Indiana, Jawa, Juan Fernández Is., Kentucky, Kriti, Laccadive Is., Leeward Is., Lesser Sunda Is., Louisiana, Marianas, Marquesas, Marshall Is., Maryland, Mississippi, Nansei-shoto, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New South Wales, New York, Nicobar Is., Niue, Norfolk Is., North Carolina, Northern Provinces, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Pitcairn Is., Queensland, Réunion, Rhode I., Rodrigues, Society Is., Solomon Is., South Carolina, Southwest Caribbean, St.Helena, Tasmania, Texas, Tokelau-Manihiki, Transcaucasus, Trinidad-Tobago, Tristan da Cunha, Tuamotu, Tubuai Is., Utah, Venezuelan Antilles, Vermont, Victoria, Virginia, West Himalaya, Windward Is., Zaïre
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXI
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