Mountain Monardella
Monardella odoratissima
Last reviewed: September 2026
Mountain monardella is a low, aromatic forb found on dry rocky slopes and open montane forests across western mountain ranges, blooming from June through September with lavender flowers that attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
Mountain Monardella (Monardella odoratissima) is not flagged as toxic to dogs or cats by Plants For A Future (PFAF) (opens in new tab) (last reviewed 2026-05-21). This verdict does not come from the ASPCA. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
6"–24" H × 6"–18" W
Bloom
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Native to
AZ, CA, CO, ID and 5 more states
Pollinators
bees, butterflies, hummingbirds
Before you buy
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Browse plants for this ecoregion
Mountain monardella is a fragrant, low-growing perennial native to mountain habitats. It forms a small mound of aromatic evergreen foliage with showy purple to lavender flower clusters blooming throughout summer. This drought-tolerant plant thrives in sunny locations with well-drained soil.
Growing Mountain Monardella
Grow Mountain Monardella in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 6 to 24 inches tall and spread 6 to 18 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
How to care for Mountain Monardella, by region
How to care for Mountain Monardella where it is actually grown: year-round basics plus what to do each season, region by region, with the sources for each.
Care guidance last updated: October 2026
Cascades (includes Oakridge, OR)
Year-round
Year-round care for mountain monardella around Oakridge, OR: sun to part shade, sandy, rocky soil.
- Calscape lists full sun or partial shade and low to moderate water, and the Wildflower Center lists part shade and sandy soil.
- It grows in wet or dry rocky forest openings from 3500 to 11,000 feet, so a low-elevation yard is a trial planting.
- It reaches up to about 18 inches tall, often shorter.
- You can propagate it by cuttings, divisions or seed.
- Seed sown fresh does not need treatment.
A low, compact clump that stays under 18 inches suits a front bed edge.
Sources: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: Monardella odoratissima, Calscape: Monardella odoratissima
Snake River Plain (includes Boise)
Year-round
Year-round care for mountain monardella around Boise: part shade to full sun, sandy well-drained soil, low to moderate water.
- Give it part shade to full sun.
- Sandy soil suits it, and it handles wet or dry conditions.
- Water needs are low to moderate.
- It stays small, about 4 to 12 inches tall in Calscape's description, and forms low mats.
- Prune in late fall or winter for bushier growth, and deadhead spent flowers to keep it neat.
A low, mat-forming plant with a clear edge reads as tidy beside a path or walk. Deadheading in summer keeps it looking cared for.
Sources: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: Monardella odoratissima, Calscape: Monardella odoratissima
In an HOA neighborhood
Mountain Monardella is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.
Works well in: front yard, foundation, street edge, mid zone.
- May appear slightly less tidy when not in bloom
Wildlife value
Mountain monardella is excellent for supporting native pollinators, attracting bees and butterflies with its abundant nectar. Hummingbirds are also drawn to its tubular flowers during the summer blooming period.
Common questions
- When does mountain monardella bloom?
- Mountain monardella typically flowers from June through September, with peak bloom in mid to late summer at higher elevations.
- How much water does mountain monardella need?
- It is a low-water plant adapted to dry, rocky mountain soils and performs best with infrequent watering once established.
- What kind of light does mountain monardella prefer?
- Full sun is ideal, though plants growing in cooler high-elevation forests can tolerate some part sun.
- What pollinators are attracted to mountain monardella?
- Its fragrant summer flowers draw bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, making it a useful plant for pollinator gardens in mountain and high desert climates.
- Is Mountain Monardella toxic to dogs?
- Mountain Monardella is not flagged as toxic to dogs by Plants For A Future (PFAF). This verdict does not come from the ASPCA.
- Is Mountain Monardella toxic to cats?
- Mountain Monardella is not flagged as toxic to cats by Plants For A Future (PFAF). This verdict does not come from the ASPCA.
- Is Mountain Monardella HOA-friendly?
- Mountain Monardella is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.
These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.
Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. 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 Mountain Monardella? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.