Transplanting Four O Clock Plants

Moving your four o’clocks to a new spot can give them a fresh start or help you redesign your garden. This simple step-by-step guide to transplanting four o’ clock plants will make the process easy, ensuring your colorful, fragrant blooms thrive in their new location. With their trumpet-shaped flowers that open in the late afternoon, these resilient perennials are a favorite, but they do best when moved with a little care.

Whether your plants are getting too crowded, need more sun, or you’re simply rearranging your beds, transplanting is a straightforward task. The key is timing and gentle handling. Four o’clocks have tuberous roots that store energy, so if you treat these right, your plants will bounce back quickly and reward you with even more growth.

When is the Best Time to Transplant?

Choosing the right moment is the most important step for success. Get this wrong, and the plants may struggle to recover.

Early Spring or Late Fall: The ideal time is in early spring, just as new growth is starting to emerge from the ground. Alternatively, you can transplant in late fall after the plant has died back. The cool temperatures and natural moisture help reduce shock.
Avoid Peak Summer: Never transplant in the heat of summer. The combination of transplant shock and high temperatures can be fatal, even for tough four o’clocks.
Look for Dormancy: If you’re transplanting in fall, wait for the first frost to blacken the foliage. This signals the plant is going dormant and its energy is in the roots.
Cloudy Days: Always aim for a cloudy, overcast day or transplant in the cool of the early evening. This prevents the sun from wilting the stressed plants.

What You’ll Need to Get Started

Gathering your tools beforehand makes the job smooth. You won’t need anything fancy, just a few basics.

A sharp shovel or spade
A garden fork (very useful for loosening soil)
Gardening gloves
Watering can or hose
Burlap or an old bucket (to hold the root ball)
Compost or aged manure
Mulch (like straw or wood chips)

Preparing the New Planting Site

Don’t wait until you’ve dug up the plant to prepare its new home. Having the hole ready minimizes the time the roots are exposed.

Choose a Sunny Spot: Four o’clocks prefer full sun to partial shade. At least 6 hours of direct sun is best for prolific blooming.
Check the Soil: They aren’t picky but thrive in well-draining soil. If your soil is heavy clay, amend it with compost to improve drainage and fertility.
Dig the Hole: Dig a hole that is twice as wide and just as deep as the expected root ball you’ll be moving. This gives the roots loose soil to expand into easily.
Enrich the Soil: Mix some of the excavated soil with a generous amount of compost. Fill the hole back in about halfway with this enriched mixture and water it lightly. This creates a welcoming, nutrient-rich bed for the roots.

How to Dig Up Your Four O’Clock Plant

This step requires a bit of care to preserve the tuberous roots. Four o’clocks can form large, carrot-like tubers over time.

Water Thoroughly: A day before transplanting, give the plant a deep watering. This hydrates the roots and makes the soil easier to work with, helping it hold together.
Cut Back Foliage: For spring moves, trim the stems back by about half. For fall moves, you can cut back the blackened foliage completely to about 2 inches above the ground. This reduces moisture loss.
Dig a Wide Circle: Start digging about 8-10 inches away from the base of the plant. Push your shovel straight down to slice through any spreading roots.
Lift the Root Ball: Work your way around the plant, then gently slide the shovel underneath the root mass. Pry it upward, aiming to keep the soil around the roots intact. Use your garden fork to loosen it if it’s stuck.
Inspect the Roots: Brush away some soil to check the health of the tubers. They should be firm and fleshy. If you find any rotten or mushy sections, you can carefully cut them away with a clean knife.

The Actual Transplanting Process

Now for the main event—moving your plant to its new home. Work efficiently but gently.

Transfer Quickly: Carry the root ball to the new hole, keeping it supported. If it’s large, place it on burlap and drag it.
Set the Depth: Place the plant in the center of the hole. The top of the root ball should be level with the surrounding soil surface. Planting too deep can cause the crown to rot.
Backfill with Soil: Shovel the remaining enriched soil around the roots. Gently tamp it down with your hands to remove large air pockets, but don’t compact it too firmly.
Water Deeply: Give the plant a long, slow soak immediately after planting. This settles the soil around the roots and provides essential moisture. Let the water drain, then add a bit more soil if depressions form.

Aftercare for Your Transplanted Four O’Clocks

Post-transplant care ensures your plant recovers and establishes itself without missing a beat.

Mulch Generously: Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the base of the plant. Keep it a few inches away from the stems. This conserves moisture, regulates soil temperature, and suppresses weeds.
Monitor Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist (but not soggy) for the first 2-3 weeks. Water every other day unless it rains. After that, four o’clocks are quite drought-tolerant and will only need water during extended dry spells.
Hold the Fertilizer: Do not fertilize right after transplanting. The compost in the planting hole provides enough nutrients. Fertilizing too soon can burn tender new roots. You can apply a balanced fertilizer after you see strong new growth.
Expect Some Wilting: It’s normal for the plant to look a little droopy for a few days after the move. As long as you keep the soil moist, it should perk up within a week.

Dividing Four O’Clocks During Transplant

If your plant is large and overgrown, transplanting is a perfect oportunity to divide it and create new plants for free.

After lifting the root ball, wash off excess soil with a gentle spray of water so you can see the tubers clearly.
Look for natural divisions or “eyes” (like on a potato). Each division needs at least one eye or growing point.
Using a clean, sharp knife, cut the tubers apart. Let the cut surfaces dry and callous over for a few hours before replanting.
Plant each division just as you would a whole plant, following the same depth and watering instructions.

Common Problems and Solutions

Even with care, sometimes issues arise. Here’s how to handle them.

Severe Wilting: If the plant remains wilted after a week, it may be getting too much sun or wind. Provide temporary shade with a cloth for a few afternoons.
Yellowing Leaves: This often indicates overwatering. Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Ensure the new site has good drainage.
Slow Growth: Be patient. The plant is likely putting its energy into establishing roots first. Growth above ground will follow shortly.
Transplant Shock: Minimize this by following the timing and aftercare steps closely. Avoid damaging the roots during the digging process.

FAQ About Moving Four O’Clock Plants

Can I transplant four o’clocks in the summer?

It is not recommended. The stress of summer heat is very hard on a freshly moved plant. If you must, do it on a very cloudy, cool spell and be prepared to baby it with daily water and shade.

How deep are four o’clock roots?

The tuberous roots can grow quite deep, often 12 to 18 inches or more in established plants. That’s why digging a wide circle is safer than trying to dig straight down next to the stem.

Will my transplanted four o’clocks bloom the same year?

If you transplant in early spring, they should bloom on schedule by mid to late summer. A fall transplant means the plant will focus on root growth and will bloom normally the following year.

Can I grow four o’clocks from seed after moving plants?

Absolutely. Four o’clocks self-seed readily. You can collect the hard, black seeds from the spent blooms in fall and sow them in spring. They germinate easily, which is why these plants sometimes pop up in new areas on there own.

Do I need to prune after transplanting?

Light pruning, as mentioned, helps reduce stress. Once the plant is established and growing well, you can pinch back the tips to encourage bushier growth and more flowers. They don’t require heavy pruning.

Transplanting four o’clocks is a simple way to manage your garden’s layout and propagate more of these lovely, evening-scented flowers. By following this guide—paying close attention to timing, careful digging, and thorough aftercare—you’ll give your plants the best chance to settle in quickly. Before you know it, they’ll be thriving in there new spot, opening their cheerful blooms each afternoon just like before.