How much sun does Purple bergamot need?

Purple bergamot grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Purple bergamot bloom?

Purple bergamot blooms in June, July, and August.

Where is Purple bergamot native?

Purple bergamot (Monarda media) is native to DE, GA, IL, IN and 9 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

What pollinators does Purple bergamot attract?

Purple bergamot draws bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies.

Purple bergamot

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Monarda media

Last reviewed: September 2026

Purple bergamot (Monarda media) is a perennial forb native to DE, GA, IL, IN and 9 more states. It blooms in June, July, and August. The flowers draw bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies.

Toxicity unknown

Purple bergamot (Monarda media) 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

medium

Size

24"–48" H × 18"–24" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul, Aug

Native to

DE, GA, IL, IN and 9 more states

Pollinators

bees, hummingbirds, butterflies

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 458 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

Northeastern Highlands Northeastern Coastal Zone Erie Drift Plain Ridge and Valley Central Appalachians Western Allegheny Plateau

An upright, square-stemmed perennial with aromatic leaves and dense, shaggy purple flower heads in summer, spreading gradually to form clumps.

Growing Purple bergamot

Grow Purple bergamot in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 24 to 48 inches tall and spread 18 to 24 inches wide.

Wildlife value

Highly attractive to bumble bees, hummingbirds, and hummingbird moths, with strong nectar value through summer.

Common questions

How much sun does Purple bergamot need?: Purple bergamot grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Purple bergamot bloom?: Purple bergamot blooms in June, July, and August.
Where is Purple bergamot native?: Purple bergamot (Monarda media) is native to DE, GA, IL, IN and 9 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What pollinators does Purple bergamot attract?: Purple bergamot draws bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies.

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.

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