Denseflower Indian paintbrush
Castilleja densiflora
Last reviewed: November 2026
Denseflower Indian paintbrush (Castilleja densiflora) is a annual forb native to CA. It blooms in March, April, and May. The flowers draw bees.
Watering reminders and freeze alerts for Denseflower Indian paintbrush, free in the app.
Toxicity unknown
Denseflower Indian paintbrush (Castilleja densiflora) 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
6"–16" H × 6"–12" W
Bloom
Mar, Apr, May
Native to
CA
Pollinators
bees
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 461 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
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Browse plants for this ecoregion
Owl's clover is a low annual forb with narrow leaves and dense spikes of pink to purple tubular flowers tipped in white. It grows in open grasslands, drawing some of its water and nutrients from the roots of neighboring grasses.
Growing Denseflower Indian paintbrush
Grow Denseflower Indian paintbrush in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 6 to 16 inches tall and spread 6 to 12 inches wide.
Wildlife value
Host plant for Edith's Checkerspot.
The tubular flowers are pollinated by bees, and the genus is a well documented larval host for checkerspot butterflies, including Edith's Checkerspot.
Common questions
- How much sun does Denseflower Indian paintbrush need?
- Denseflower Indian paintbrush grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Denseflower Indian paintbrush bloom?
- Denseflower Indian paintbrush blooms in March, April, and May.
- Where is Denseflower Indian paintbrush native?
- Denseflower Indian paintbrush (Castilleja densiflora) is native to CA, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- What butterflies or moths does Denseflower Indian paintbrush host?
- Denseflower Indian paintbrush is a larval host plant for Edith's Checkerspot.
Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. 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 Denseflower Indian paintbrush? Add it to your garden in the Pollinator Patch App to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.