Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Seep Monkey Flower (Erythranthe guttata syn. Mimulus guttatus) is a perennial wildflower in the Lopseed family (Phrymaceae). As the name suggests, it grows in moist stream banks and seeps. Often it will grow with its roots submerged, and the light green foliage and yellow flowers will float on the surface of the water. Its spreading root systems make it one of the best plants for filtering water in aquatic gardens, and its abundant yellow snapdragon-shaped flowers add spectacular color to a pond in winter and spring. Note that because it aggressively spreads and copiously self seeds, it may need to be periodically pulled or cut back to prevent it from crowding out other plants.

Seep Monkey Flower attracts bees, butterflies and moths. Useful in naturally wet landscapes, such as a moist alpine meadow, along any sort of waterway, and in serpentine soils.

Plant type

Annual herb, Perennial herb

Size

2 - 5 ft Tall
7 in Wide

Form

Upright

Growth rate

Fast

Dormancy

Winter Deciduous

Fragrance

None

Calscape icon
Color

Yellow

Flowering season

Spring, Winter

Special uses

Water features or wet habitats, Deer resistant

Sun

Partial Shade, Full Sun

Water

Moderate, High

Summer irrigation

Max 1x / week once established

Ease of care

Easy

Cold tolerance

Tolerates cold to -15° F

Soil drainage

Slow, Standing

Soil description

Tolerates a variety of soils as long as adequate drainage is provided.
Soil PH: 5.0 - 8.0

Maintenance

Deadhead for a better appearance and to prolong blooming, or leave old flowers in place to encourage re-seeding.

Propagation

Usually self-sows.  For propagating by seed: No treatment.

Sunset Zones

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7*, 8*, 9*, 10, 11, 12, 14*, 15, 16, 17, 18*, 19*, 20*, 21*, 22*, 23*, 24

Site type

Wet places, terrestrial, emergent or floating in mats

Plant communities

Chaparral, Coastal Strand, Foothill Woodland, Lodgepole Forest, Northern Coastal Scrub, Pinyon-Juniper Woodland, Red Fir Forest, Subalpine Forest, Valley Grassland, Yellow Pine Forest, Wetland-Riparian

Use with other plants that need moist soil such as Scarlet Monkeyflower (Erythranthe cardinalis), Stream Orchid (Epipactis gigantea), Hedge Nettle (Stachys bullata), and various Carex and Juncus species

Hummingbirds
Bats
Birds
Bees
Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

2 confirmed and 8 likely

Confirmed Likely

Annaphila lithosina

Mylitta Crescent

Phyciodes mylitta

Annaphila decia

Annaphila miona