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.

Florida paintbrush

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

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 460 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Picture natives in your own yard

Upload a photo of your yard and Patch Vision shows a rendering of it planted with natives for your region, like Florida paintbrush.

Try it with your yard

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Southeastern Plains Southern Coastal Plain Southern Florida Coastal Plain

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.

See all plant problem guides

Ready to grow Florida paintbrush? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

Add this plant to your garden

iPhone app Android app