Updated at: 22-06-2022 - By: Sienna Lewis

Although Mimulus plants are hardy perennials, they are commonly planted as annuals in the garden.

They can grow up to 90 centimeters tall and have tubular, freckled orange, red, yellow, and pink flowers.

They can be grown in a rock garden or used as a garden border because of their small size.

Members of Mimulus are referred to as Monkey Musk, Monkeyflower, and Musk.

Mimulus Plant Growing and Care Guide

Muskflower, Monkey Flower, etc. Slenderstalks, Roundleaves, Cutleaves, and Congdons are some of the other names given to the Monkey Flower.

How To Grow Mimulus In 2 Easy Steps - Krostrade

Phrymaceae is a family.

Life Cycle: Hardy perennials half of the time Gardeners typically grow this plant as a half-hardy annual, despite the fact that it is perennial.

0.4 to 36 inches in height (2 to 90 cm).

North America, Eastern Asia, Australasia, and Southern Africa are all home to native species.

Zones 3 to 10 for annuals and 3 to 9 for perennials.

Flora: in the spring, summer, or fall.

Flowers come in a variety of hues including: magenta (a deep purple), yellow, orange, red, and pink. Snapdragon-like. Tubular. Lipped. Perfume with a musky scent.

Oval-shaped leaves. Lanceolate. Slimy is an appropriate word to describe certain substances. Toothed is a possible description. Downy.

Spread Seeds on the Ground: Toward the conclusion of the winter. From two inches apart to thirty-six inches (5 to 90 cm).

Stratify seeds in the refrigerator for three weeks after mixing them with a growing media and storing them in a freezer bag. It takes one to three weeks for seeds to germinate. It was a pleasant 70 degrees Fahrenheit. More than a year ahead of schedule. After the final frost has passed, move the seedlings outside.

How to Grow Monkey Musk and other Mimulus in the Garden

Seeds of monkey musk and other Mimulus should be sown on the ground at the end of winter when planting outside. Musk prefers sunny places in the garden, but prefers partial shade in the afternoon in warmer areas. The soil in which Monkey Musk thrives should be moist and rich, with a pH between slightly acidic and neutral (6 to 7).

Two to three months in advance is recommended if starting Musk species inside. To incubate the seeds, place them in a plastic bag and store them in the refrigerator for three weeks. In order to germinate, the seeds should be exposed to light at a temperature between 21 and 25 Celsius for one to three weeks. Plant musk seedlings after the last spring frost at a spacing of 15 cm (for small Mimulus species) to 30 to 90 cm (for bigger Mimulus species) (larger varieties).

Caring for Mimulus Plants

Once established, Monkey Musk and kindred Mimulus species are relatively low-maintenance, requiring only periodic irrigation to maintain a consistently wet soil environment. Before they have an opportunity to set seed, the blossoms should be deadheaded. If the plants are hardy perennials, mulch should be applied throughout the winter to protect them. Musk can be multiplied through division in the spring if you need more plants.

I sincerely hope you liked learning how to grow Mimulus plants from this article.

Mimulus species, which are native to the Pacific states, are known as monkey flowers because of their strange, snapdragon-like faces. Although they can grow to a height of several feet in the wild, most garden hybrids only reach 8 to 10 inches tall as annuals. Although they like bright shade, they will grow on even the most wet of soils. It is likely that you will have to start your mimulus plants from seed because they are so difficult to come by.

In late winter or early spring, sow mimulus seeds inside. Use a container with drainage holes, such as a one-cell planting pack. Use a slightly damp, sterile seed-sowing mix to fill the pot to the rim. Do not cover the fine seeds when you press them into the mixture.

Set your container on a flat with an inch or two of lukewarm water and soak the mix from the bottom up. When the surface of the mix is damp but not soggy, wait a few minutes before moving on.

The container should be removed from the flat and covered with plastic wrap loosely. Place it under grow lights or somewhere warm and sunny. One to three weeks should be enough time for the seeds to sprout. Continue to water from the bottom if necessary, but remove the plastic wrap once they’ve sprouted.

As soon as the seedlings are large enough to handle, separate them into cell packs filled with a mixture of half seed-starting mix and half potting soil. 4. Avoid breaking the stems of the seedlings by picking them up by their leaves.

How to Grow Mimulus - Monkey Flower - Garden Chronicle

For a couple of weeks before planting, gradually expose the seedlings to greater sunlight outside each day.

In the garden or window box, choose a place with full sun to bright shade. If your summers are scorching, choose a shady location. Find a place where the earth is always wet. Six inches apart, plant seedlings once the risk of frost has passed.

Pinch out the plant’s growing tips to induce branching in the plants. Keep your mimulus flowering by snipping off the faded blossoms. Never let the soil totally dry out.

How to plant Mimulus

Aquatic baskets can be used to grow these plants. Mimulus prefer soil rich in organic content, thus soil amendment with compost may be necessary before planting.

How to care for Mimulus

After the flowers have faded, trim back. The soil should not be allowed to dry out at all.

How To Grow Mimulus For Success

Step #1. Starting seeds

You can also root Mimulus or monkeyflowers from cuttings, which are alternate methods of propagation. However, finding these plants, let alone having someone offer you with cuttings, is difficult. You’re more than likely to start Mimulus blooms from seed.

Sowing

Mimulus seeds can be started indoors as a precautionary step. Additionally, you can assure germination because you may avoid extreme weather conditions in a greenhouse. Early spring or late winter are both good times to sow the seeds in a moist, well-draining seed-starting mix.

A moist but not soggy medium is all that is needed to keep the seeds from sprouting. It’s best to keep the container in an area that is both warm and bright, but not directly in the sun. You can also create the optimum germination environment by covering it loosely with plastic wrap.

Germinating

After one to three weeks, the Mimulus seeds should have sprouted, at which point you can remove the cover. Avoid overwatering your plants to keep them healthy and thriving. After some time, you can separate them and transplant them into a mixture of potting soil and seed-starting mix. Alternatively,

Step #2. Transplanting

To prepare your seedlings for life outside, you must first gently harden them off. To prevent the possibility of transplant shock, it is imperative that this be done prior to their permanent transplant. Until the risk of frost has passed, you can progressively expose the seedlings to the outside each day.

In an area with partial sunlight and wet soil, you can grow Mimulus seedlings with a 6-inch gap between each one. Pinching the tips of Mimulus plants, according to seasoned gardeners, is another way to stimulate branching. For a healthy bloom, you can also pluck the faded blooms.

Caring For Mimulus

Location

The emphasis is required to investigate your Mimulus species’ individual needs. Mimulus plants, for example, can be bred to thrive in dry conditions. As a result, place them in a location with sandy soil that is also well-draining and aerated.

A medium that retains moisture for an extended period of time is preferred by some species. You may need to combine peat moss with your Mimulus plant’s soil in order to meet its needs. As with choosing a location, some species do better in full sun, while others do better in partial shade.

Finally, be sure that your species is native to the area. So, if necessary, you can utilize a greenhouse to maintain the ideal temperature and humidity for the plants. Mimulus plants can be found in a variety of forms, ranging from spring-loving to summer-loving.

Watering and feeding

As previously said, the best way to avoid problems with Mimulus growth is to become familiar with the species’ preferences. Watering and feeding are also important because you want to emulate the circumstances they thrive in nature. Only sometimes watering is preferred by certain Mimulus plants, while others require regular misting.

In addition, if the soil is rich in nutrients and of high quality, you may not need to fertilize these plants. Other options include using fertilizers that dissolve in water or release slowly, as long as you follow the directions on the label. Feeding every two weeks throughout the growing season is fine for the former, but once during the growing season is preferable for the latter.

How to Grow Mimulus - Monkey Flower - Garden Chronicle

Common problems

The great thing about Mimulus is that it rarely has major issues. There’s no harm in inspecting and keeping the plants’ proper practices at all times. Insecticidal soap can be used to swiftly get rid of pests like aphids if necessary.

Conclusion

Mimulus is one of those flowers whose distinctive patterns will grab your attention immediately. It’s not difficult to grow Mimulus, so why not have these beautiful flowers in your garden? Even if you don’t already have a Mimulus plant, you should not be afraid to start a new one from seed.

Seeds will germinate quickly in a greenhouse. When it comes to growing Mimulus plants, there are no special tricks. Keep the seeds wet, prevent overwatering, and locate them in a place that shields them from harsh weather.

The seedlings can then be hardened before being transplanted outside. To encourage branching, pinch the tips of your plants in an area that receives partial sunlight. Maintaining a healthy bloom on your Mimulus requires the removal of faded flowers over time.