Bigflower monkeyflower
Mimulus bifidus
Last reviewed: October 2026
Bigflower monkeyflower (Mimulus bifidus) is a perennial shrub native to CA. It blooms in April, May, and June. The flowers draw hummingbirds and bees.
Toxicity unknown
Bigflower monkeyflower (Mimulus bifidus) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
12"–36" H × 24"–48" W
Bloom
Apr, May, Jun
Native to
CA
Pollinators
hummingbirds, bees
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 460 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
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Browse plants for this ecoregion
A woody-based shrub with sticky, narrow leaves and tubular pink to lavender flowers held above the foliage in late spring. Grows in dry, brushy slopes and can look somewhat open and twiggy outside of bloom.
Growing Bigflower monkeyflower
Grow Bigflower monkeyflower in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 12 to 36 inches tall and spread 24 to 48 inches wide.
Wildlife value
Its tubular flowers are visited by hummingbirds and long-tongued bees.
Common questions
- How much sun does Bigflower monkeyflower need?
- Bigflower monkeyflower grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Bigflower monkeyflower bloom?
- Bigflower monkeyflower blooms in April, May, and June.
- Where is Bigflower monkeyflower native?
- Bigflower monkeyflower (Mimulus bifidus) is native to CA, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
- What pollinators does Bigflower monkeyflower attract?
- Bigflower monkeyflower draws hummingbirds and bees.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Bigflower monkeyflower? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.