Wild bergamot

Monarda fistulosa L.

Family: Lamiaceae

Native
Pollinator Plant
Deer Resistant
Hummingbird Plant

Pet & Human Safety

People: No hazard foundPets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them

Hazardous parts

Not yet checked.

Preparation

Not applicable; this is an ornamental plant.

Hazard type

No human hazard is named on the NC State page (it has no Poisonous to Humans section). No eating line is written for this ornamental plant.

Hazard route

none named by the sources used

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Toxic to pets

No ASPCA entry found.

The safety check found no ASPCA page for this plant, and NC State's page has no poison section. Not listed means no pet-safety verdict was found, not that the plant is safe. Keep pets from eating it and call a vet or the ASPCA Poison Control line if a pet seems unwell.

PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

Get the app: coming soon

Care

Hardiness zones: USDA zones 3-9 (NC State Extension and Missouri Botanical Garden agree). RHS hardiness H5 (RHS system, not converted).
Light: full sun to part shade
Water needs: moderate
Mature size: 2 to 4 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide (NC State Extension and Missouri Botanical Garden agree).

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

Get the app: coming soon