Primrose Monkeyflower Plant Care
Erythranthe primuloides (Benth.) G.L.Nesom & N.S.Fraga
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Erythranthe primuloides is a Western United States perennial plant in the lopseed family (Phrymaceae), known by the common name primrose monkeyflower. It was formerly known as Mimulus primuloides.
Every 4–7 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Primrose Monkeyflower?
Water Primrose 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.
What Is the Primrose Monkeyflower?
Primrose Monkeyflower (Erythranthe primuloides) belongs to the Phrymaceae family within the Erythranthe genus.
Primrose Monkeyflower displays an upright, spreading perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Primrose Monkeyflower produces tubular flowers in shades of red, orange, yellow, or pink.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Primrose Monkeyflower?
Erythranthe primuloides 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 Primrose Monkeyflower Need?
Primrose Monkeyflower thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Primrose Monkeyflower Prefer?
Erythranthe primuloides grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Primrose Monkeyflower prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Primrose Monkeyflower?
Moist, well-draining soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Primrose Monkeyflower to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Primrose Monkeyflower?
Feed Primrose 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 Primrose 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 Primrose Monkeyflower?
Primrose 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 Primrose Monkeyflower Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Primrose 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 Primrose Monkeyflower?
Primrose 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 Primrose Monkeyflower Need?
Primrose Monkeyflower grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Primrose Monkeyflower as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Primrose 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.
Primrose 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 primuloides (Benth.) G.L.Nesom & 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 Primrose 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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