Coast indian paintbrush
Castilleja affinis
Last reviewed: September 2026
Coast indian paintbrush (Castilleja affinis) is a perennial forb native to CA. It blooms in March, April, and May. The flowers draw hummingbirds.
Toxicity unknown
Coast indian paintbrush (Castilleja affinis) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
8"–20" H × 8"–16" W
Bloom
Mar, Apr, May
Native to
CA
Pollinators
hummingbirds
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 458 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaBrowse plants for this ecoregion
A hemiparasitic wildflower called Indian paintbrush, with narrow leaves and brilliant scarlet bracts surrounding small tubular flowers in spring. Needs a nearby host root to establish fully, so it can look sparse without one.
Growing Coast indian paintbrush
Grow Coast indian paintbrush in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 8 to 20 inches tall and spread 8 to 16 inches wide.
Wildlife value
Host plant for Edith's checkerspot.
Bright spring bracts are a favorite hummingbird nectar source, and the foliage hosts Edith's checkerspot caterpillars.
Common questions
- How much sun does Coast indian paintbrush need?
- Coast indian paintbrush grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Coast indian paintbrush bloom?
- Coast indian paintbrush blooms in March, April, and May.
- Where is Coast indian paintbrush native?
- Coast indian paintbrush (Castilleja affinis) is native to CA, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
- What butterflies or moths does Coast indian paintbrush host?
- Coast indian paintbrush is a larval host plant for Edith's checkerspot.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Coast indian paintbrush? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.