Quick answer: Tufted evening primrose (Oenothera caespitosa) is native to 15 states. What's commonly sold under this name is the true wild species. No live listing of the true species was found as of 24 Oct 2026.
Photo: Stan Shebs, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Where it's native
Listed in the directory as native to these states. Click a state for its full native-plant guide.
Growing conditions
From the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Native Plant Database.
| Sun | Sun |
|---|---|
| Water | Dry |
| Soil | Rocky, gravelly |
| Bloom | Bloom Apr-Aug |
| Height | 4-8 in |
| Wildlife value | Hawk moths |
Buying it
No live listing of the true wild species was found as of 24 Oct 2026 — that means our last search didn't surface one, not that the plant is unavailable.
No live seed or plant listing found as of 24 Oct 2026. That means our last search didn't surface one — not that the plant is unavailable. Try a regional native-plant nursery.
Quick answers about Tufted evening primrose
Where is Tufted evening primrose native?
Tufted evening primrose (Oenothera caespitosa) is native to 15 states across the Midwest, South and West. Check your state's page in this directory for the full list of plants native where you live.
When does Tufted evening primrose bloom?
Tufted evening primrose blooms Apr-Aug. Exact timing shifts a few weeks with latitude and elevation.
What growing conditions does Tufted evening primrose need?
Light: Sun. Water: Dry. Soil: Rocky, gravelly. Mature height: 4-8 in.
Is Tufted evening primrose good for pollinators and wildlife?
Yes. Wildlife value: Hawk moths.
Is Tufted evening primrose deer-resistant or drought-tolerant?
Tufted evening primrose is drought-tolerant.
Where can I buy Tufted evening primrose?
We haven't found an online listing of the true wild species as of 24 Oct 2026. A regional native-plant nursery or native seed company is your best source; ask for Oenothera caespitosa by its scientific name.
Similar native plants
Native plants that share growing conditions or range with Tufted evening primrose.
- Lewis flax (blue flax) Linum lewisii
- Rubber rabbitbrush Ericameria nauseosa
- Showy milkweed Asclepias speciosa
- Creeping Oregon grape Mahonia repens
- Arrowleaf balsamroot Balsamorhiza sagittata
- Bluebunch wheatgrass Pseudoroegneria spicata
Also listed under
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