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.

Coast indian paintbrush

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

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

Pollinators

hummingbirds

Before you buy

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Northwestern Forested Mountains Sierra Nevada Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Central California Valley Southern California Mountains Mojave Basin and Range Southern California/Northern Baja Coast

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.

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