How much sun does Cleveland's bush monkeyflower need?

Cleveland's bush monkeyflower grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Cleveland's bush monkeyflower bloom?

Cleveland's bush monkeyflower blooms in April, May, and June.

Where is Cleveland's bush monkeyflower native?

Cleveland's bush monkeyflower (Mimulus clevelandii) is native to CA, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

What butterflies or moths does Cleveland's bush monkeyflower host?

Cleveland's bush monkeyflower is a larval host plant for Common Buckeye.

Cleveland's bush monkeyflower

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Mimulus clevelandii

Last reviewed: November 2026

Cleveland's bush monkeyflower (Mimulus clevelandii) is a perennial shrub native to CA. It blooms in April, May, and June. The flowers draw bees and hummingbirds.

Watering reminders and freeze alerts for Cleveland's bush monkeyflower, free in the app.

Toxicity unknown

Cleveland's bush monkeyflower (Mimulus clevelandii) 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

24"–48" H × 24"–36" W

Bloom

Apr, May, Jun

Native to

Pollinators

bees, hummingbirds

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 461 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

Southern California Mountains Southern California/Northern Baja Coast

This monkeyflower is an evergreen to semi-evergreen shrub with sticky, aromatic leaves and lavender-purple snapdragon-like flowers in spring. It grows on chaparral slopes in a fairly limited native range.

Growing Cleveland's bush monkeyflower

Grow Cleveland's bush monkeyflower in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 24 to 48 inches tall and spread 24 to 36 inches wide.

Wildlife value

Host plant for Common Buckeye.

The flowers are visited by bees and hummingbirds, and the genus is a documented larval host for the Common Buckeye butterfly.

Common questions

How much sun does Cleveland's bush monkeyflower need?: Cleveland's bush monkeyflower grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Cleveland's bush monkeyflower bloom?: Cleveland's bush monkeyflower blooms in April, May, and June.
Where is Cleveland's bush monkeyflower native?: Cleveland's bush monkeyflower (Mimulus clevelandii) is native to CA, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What butterflies or moths does Cleveland's bush monkeyflower host?: Cleveland's bush monkeyflower is a larval host plant for Common Buckeye.

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.

See all plant problem guides

Ready to grow Cleveland's bush monkeyflower? Add it to your garden in the Pollinator Patch App to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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