How much sun does Prairie Paintbrush need?

Prairie Paintbrush grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Prairie Paintbrush bloom?

Prairie Paintbrush blooms in March, April, and May.

Where is Prairie Paintbrush native?

Prairie Paintbrush (Castilleja purpurea) is native to KS, MO, OK, TX, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.

What pollinators does Prairie Paintbrush attract?

Prairie Paintbrush draws bees and hummingbirds.

Is Prairie Paintbrush HOA-friendly?

Prairie Paintbrush is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.

Prairie Paintbrush

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Castilleja purpurea

Last reviewed: October 2026

Toxicity unknown

Prairie Paintbrush (Castilleja purpurea) 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"–18" H × 6"–12" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr, May

Native to

KS, MO, OK, TX

Pollinators

bees, hummingbirds

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.

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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 Prairie Paintbrush.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Central Great Plains Cross Timbers Edwards Plateau Texas Blackland Prairies East Central Texas Plains South Central Plains Central Irregular Plains

Prairie Paintbrush is a compact wildflower that produces vibrant red-purple flower bracts in spring. This low-growing native perennial forms small clumps and goes dormant in summer heat, returning each spring with colorful blooms.

In an HOA neighborhood

Prairie Paintbrush is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 2 out of 5.

Works well in: front yard, foundation, street edge, mid zone.

Wildlife value

The tubular flowers attract hummingbirds and native bees during the spring blooming period. This plant serves as an important early-season nectar source when few other wildflowers are in bloom.

Common questions

How much sun does Prairie Paintbrush need?: Prairie Paintbrush grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Prairie Paintbrush bloom?: Prairie Paintbrush blooms in March, April, and May.
Where is Prairie Paintbrush native?: Prairie Paintbrush (Castilleja purpurea) is native to KS, MO, OK, TX, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
What pollinators does Prairie Paintbrush attract?: Prairie Paintbrush draws bees and hummingbirds.
Is Prairie Paintbrush HOA-friendly?: Prairie Paintbrush is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.

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.

See all plant problem guides

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

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