Indian Pink
Spigelia marilandica
Last reviewed: September 2026
Spigelia marilandica, or Indian pink, blooms March through May with red and yellow tubular flowers that draw hummingbirds. It grows well in part sun to shady woodland settings with low to medium moisture.
Toxicity unknown
Indian Pink (Spigelia marilandica) 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
part sun
Water
low
Size
12"–24" H × 6"–24" W
Bloom
Mar, Apr, May
Native to
AL, AR, FL, GA and 12 more states
Pollinators
butterflies, bees, hummingbirds
Before you buy
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Indian Pink produces striking tubular red flowers with bright yellow interiors that bloom in spring. This native perennial forms neat clumps and goes dormant in winter, returning reliably each year. It thrives in partial shade with minimal water once established.
Growing Indian Pink
Grow Indian Pink in part sun and low water. Mature plants reach 12 to 24 inches tall and spread 6 to 24 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Indian Pink is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.
Works well in: front yard, foundation, street edge, mid zone.
Wildlife value
The tubular flowers are magnets for hummingbirds and attract butterflies and native bees. This plant serves as an important nectar source during its spring blooming period.
Common questions
- When does Indian pink bloom?
- Spigelia marilandica typically flowers from March through May, producing clusters of red tubular blooms tipped in yellow.
- What pollinators visit Indian pink flowers?
- The tubular red flowers of Spigelia marilandica attract hummingbirds along with various butterflies and bees.
- How much light does Indian pink need?
- This plant does best in part sun to part shade, and it can also tolerate deeper shade, making it a good choice for woodland gardens with dappled light.
- How much water does Indian pink require?
- Spigelia marilandica prefers low to medium soil moisture and does not tolerate standing water or constantly soggy soil.
- Does Indian pink go dormant in winter?
- Yes, it is a deciduous herbaceous perennial that dies back to the ground in fall and returns from its rootstock each spring.
- Is Indian Pink HOA-friendly?
- Indian Pink is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.
These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.
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 Indian Pink? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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