Florida paintbrush
Carphephorus corymbosus
Last reviewed: September 2026
Florida paintbrush (Carphephorus corymbosus) is a perennial forb native to FL, GA, SC. It blooms in September, October, and November. The flowers draw butterflies and bees.
Toxicity unknown
Florida paintbrush (Carphephorus corymbosus) 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
18"–36" H × 12"–18" W
Bloom
Sep, Oct, Nov
Native to
FL, GA, SC
Pollinators
butterflies, 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 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
Upright perennial with a basal rosette of leaves and a single tall flowering stalk topped by a flat-headed cluster of purple-pink flowers in fall, found in dry sandy pinelands and scrub.
Growing Florida paintbrush
Grow Florida paintbrush in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 18 to 36 inches tall and spread 12 to 18 inches wide.
Wildlife value
Fall flowers are an important late-season nectar source for migrating butterflies and native bees.
Common questions
- How much sun does Florida paintbrush need?
- Florida paintbrush grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Florida paintbrush bloom?
- Florida paintbrush blooms in September, October, and November.
- Where is Florida paintbrush native?
- Florida paintbrush (Carphephorus corymbosus) is native to FL, GA, SC, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
- What pollinators does Florida paintbrush attract?
- Florida paintbrush draws butterflies and bees.
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 Florida paintbrush? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.