Bearded Monkeyflower Plant Care
Erythranthe barbata (Greene) N.S.Fraga
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Erythranthe barbata, the bearded monkeyflower, is a species of plant in the lopseed family endemic to the southern Sierra Nevada mountains in the state of California.
Every 4–7 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Bearded Monkeyflower?
Water Bearded Monkeyflower every 4–7 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Bearded Monkeyflower Native To?
What Is the Bearded Monkeyflower?
Bearded Monkeyflower (Erythranthe barbata) belongs to the Phrymaceae family within the Erythranthe genus. Bearded Monkeyflower is native to the southern Sierra Nevada mountains in the state of California.
Bearded Monkeyflower displays an upright, spreading perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Bearded Monkeyflower produces tubular flowers in shades of red, orange, yellow, or pink.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Bearded Monkeyflower?
Erythranthe barbata requires watering every 4–7 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 4–7 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Bearded Monkeyflower Need?
Bearded Monkeyflower thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Bearded Monkeyflower Prefer?
Erythranthe barbata grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Bearded Monkeyflower prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Bearded Monkeyflower?
Moist, well-draining soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Bearded Monkeyflower to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Bearded Monkeyflower?
Feed Bearded Monkeyflower every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Bearded Monkeyflower?
Repot every 1-2 years in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Bearded Monkeyflower?
Bearded Monkeyflower can be propagated through seeds, division, cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to short-flowered monkeyflower plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Bearded Monkeyflower Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Bearded Monkeyflower, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Bearded Monkeyflower?
Bearded Monkeyflower is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Bearded Monkeyflower Need?
Bearded Monkeyflower grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Bearded Monkeyflower is native to the southern Sierra Nevada mountains in the state of California. In cooler regions, grow Bearded Monkeyflower as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Bearded Monkeyflower is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Erythranthe genus — compare its care with other Erythranthe species on PlantoScan.
Erythranthe is part of the Phrymaceae plant family — browse all Phrymaceae genera and species.
Bearded Monkeyflower thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Erythranthe Species
Other Erythranthe species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Erythranthe barbata (Greene) N.S.Fraga, family Phrymaceae (first published in Phytoneuron 2012-39: 35 (2012)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Bearded Monkeyflower, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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