How much sun does Purple monkeyflower need?

Purple monkeyflower grows best in part sun conditions.

When does Purple monkeyflower bloom?

Purple monkeyflower blooms in June, July, and August.

Where is Purple monkeyflower native?

Purple monkeyflower (Mimulus lewisii) is native to CA, CO, ID, MT and 5 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

What pollinators does Purple monkeyflower attract?

Purple monkeyflower draws bumble bees and hummingbirds.

Purple monkeyflower

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Mimulus lewisii

Last reviewed: November 2026

Purple monkeyflower (Mimulus lewisii) is a perennial forb native to CA, CO, ID, MT and 5 more states. It blooms in June, July, and August. The flowers draw bumble bees and hummingbirds.

Watering reminders and freeze alerts for Purple monkeyflower, free in the app.

Toxicity unknown

Purple monkeyflower (Mimulus lewisii) 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

part sun

Water

high

Size

12"–30" H × 12"–18" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul, Aug

Native to

CA, CO, ID, MT and 5 more states

Pollinators

bumble 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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Try it with your yard

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Northwestern Forested Mountains Sierra Nevada North American Deserts Central Basin and Range

An upright perennial with soft, sticky leaves and large, showy pink to magenta tubular flowers held above the foliage through summer. It grows in wet soil along streambanks in high mountain habitat and can sprawl if kept too moist.

Growing Purple monkeyflower

Grow Purple monkeyflower in part sun and high water. Mature plants reach 12 to 30 inches tall and spread 12 to 18 inches wide.

Wildlife value

The large tubular flowers are a favorite of bumble bees and hummingbirds in summer meadows.

Common questions

How much sun does Purple monkeyflower need?: Purple monkeyflower grows best in part sun conditions.
When does Purple monkeyflower bloom?: Purple monkeyflower blooms in June, July, and August.
Where is Purple monkeyflower native?: Purple monkeyflower (Mimulus lewisii) is native to CA, CO, ID, MT and 5 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What pollinators does Purple monkeyflower attract?: Purple monkeyflower draws bumble bees and hummingbirds.

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 Purple 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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