Home
Fact-checked

At HomeQuestionsAnswered, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

What is a Monkey Flower?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

A monkey flower is a plant in the genus Mimulus. These plants are named for their showy flowers, which resemble the heads of grinning monkeys, and they are native to North America, Europe, and Asia. In addition to being found readily in the wild in many regions of the world, monkey flowers are also cultivated as ornamental plants by gardeners. Many garden supply stores carry monkey flowers, and they can also be ordered directly through nurseries.

Plants in this genus are quite diverse. Some monkey flower plants have simple oval leaves, while others have toothed leaves. The plants may be hairy and sticky, smooth, or thorny, and the flowers may be two-lipped with distinctive dots, or multi-petaled. Depending on the species, a monkey flower may grow like a shrub, with a sprawling growth habit which causes to to resemble a thick carpet, or it may grow as an upright plant.

The monkey flower genus is known for a distinct odor that can be unpleasant for those who are sensitive to odors.
The monkey flower genus is known for a distinct odor that can be unpleasant for those who are sensitive to odors.

In some climates, monkey flowers are perennials, returning year after year and growing more vigorous in the process. Others may be annuals, growing well in the summer and fall months and fading away during cold winters. Many nurseries label their monkey flowers as annuals, which can cause a gardening surprise when the plants don't die out after the fall. In some regions, monkey flowers will grow quite large and very showy. California in particular seems to be a preferred environment for monkey flowers in North America.

The colors of monkey flowers vary considerably, with red, pink, yellow, blue, and white versions, among others. The plants often do well in tough, salty soils, and they will in fact pull salts out of the soil. For this reason, many people consider monkey flowers inedible, because the monkey flower plant becomes bitter and salty with time. The plants can be used in environmental remediation to pull out salts and other substances from the soil so that it can be used for other purposes.

These plants have a slightly musky scent which becomes more noticeable in hot weather or when the plants are crushed. Some people refer to the monkey flower genus as the “musk flower genus,” referencing this distinct odor. The smell can occasionally be unpleasant, especially for people who are sensitive to odors, and gardeners may want to consider planting monkey flowers out of the way of paths so that people do not accidentally step on them and release the scent. It may also be advisable to refrain from planting monkey flowers around windows, as the smell will waft indoors on warm days.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a HomeQuestionsAnswered researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a HomeQuestionsAnswered researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

Sporkasia

The yellow monkey flower is my favorite of the bunch. One of the main reasons I like planting monkey flowers is that they are so easy to care for, and they come back each year with so little effort from me. Of course, as the article stated, this is not true in all climates.

Animandel

In my family, we have always called them monkey bushes, and the purple, pink and white monkey flowers are so beautiful. They can dominate a flower garden as the centerpiece, or they can be used on the borders of the garden. Either way, the magnificent flowers are worth the drawback of the less than pleasant odor that may be emitted by the bushes, as referred to in this article.

Drentel

My mother got some monkey flower seeds or plants when I was a kid. She had a yard full of flowers, but this was a new plant she was adding to her garden. They grew so quickly. Looking back it seems like she planted them one day and in no time they were very large plants.

I don't know how long the scrubs took to mature, but the time was relatively short compared to some of the other bushes in the yard.

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • The monkey flower genus is known for a distinct odor that can be unpleasant for those who are sensitive to odors.
      By: Jane Doe
      The monkey flower genus is known for a distinct odor that can be unpleasant for those who are sensitive to odors.