Great Purple Monkey Flower
Mimulus lewisiifam. Scrophulariaceae
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Pl. 9520 — Mimulus lewisii
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IOverview
Overview
Great Purple Monkey Flower (Mimulus lewisii) is a perennial found in the wild across much of western North America, from Alaska and Alberta to California and Utah. Known for its ornamental value and edibility, this plant thrives in moist, wet environments with light to partial shade. It prefers soils that are light, medium, or heavy (clay), and can tolerate full sun to partial shade, making it adaptable to various conditions. The plant reaches a height of about 0.6 meters and is hardy in zones 4-8. Its leaves are edible, adding a unique flavor to salads or other dishes. This species is notable for its vibrant purple flowers that attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
Quick answers
What is Great Purple Monkey Flower?
Great Purple Monkey Flower (Mimulus lewisii) is a perennial found in the wild across much of western North America, from Alaska and Alberta to California and Utah. Known for its ornamental value and edibility, this plant thrives in moist, wet environments with light to partial shade.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Great Purple Monkey Flower thrives in full to partial sun and prefers moist to wet conditions. It adapts well to light (sandy), medium, and heavy (clay) soils. This perennial is hardy in zones 4-8 and can grow up to 0.6 meters tall. For propagation, use seeds or division of established plants. Harvest its edible leaves for culinary uses.
Light
Full sun, Partial sun/shade
Water
Moist, Wet, water
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
4-8
Life cycle
Perennial
Mature size
0.6 m tall
For first-time growers
How to grow Great Purple Monkey Flower for the first time
8steps
Start with planting Great Purple Monkey Flower in a sunny spot and follow these simple steps for success.
- 1
What you'll need
Seeds or young plants, garden soil, container if starting indoors.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant outdoors after the last frost in spring or start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before planting.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Use well-draining soil with a mix of light, medium, or heavy texture. Ensure containers have drainage holes.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Direct sow seeds in the garden or start indoors and transplant young plants after danger of frost passes.
- 5
First two weeks
Water regularly to keep soil moist but not waterlogged, especially during establishment.
- 6
Ongoing care
Provide full sun to partial shade. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Deadhead flowers for continuous bloom.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune dead leaves and spent flowers to maintain plant health and encourage new growth.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting in heavy clay soils without drainage, neglecting to prune regularly.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:Leaves
Edible uses: The leaves of the Great Purple Monkey Flower are edible and can be consumed raw or cooked. They are often used in salads for their mild flavor or added to soups and stews for additional nutrition. Skip boiling them for too long as this may alter their delicate taste.
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
12 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
12 native · 0 introducedDistribution across1 continent· 12 native
Americas1 region
native (1)United States
Broader regions
native:Alberta, British Columbia, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXSee also
8 related
See also
8 relatedPlants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family (Scrophulariaceae), common use cases, and growing requirements.
same family · Scrophulariaceae
Botanical relatives — often share phytochemistry + growing needs.
XI
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Growing zone
XII
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Back to the cataloguePlant id · 9520e0b3-945e-45a7-af82-256be948e160
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