How much sun does Purple owl's clover need?

Purple owl's clover grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Purple owl's clover bloom?

Purple owl's clover blooms in March, April, and May.

Where is Purple owl's clover native?

Purple owl's clover (Castilleja exserta) is native to AZ, CA, NM, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.

What pollinators does Purple owl's clover attract?

Purple owl's clover draws bees and bumble bees.

Purple owl's clover

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Castilleja exserta

Last reviewed: September 2026

Purple owl's clover (Castilleja exserta) is a annual forb native to AZ, CA, NM. It blooms in March, April, and May. The flowers draw bees and bumble bees.

Toxicity unknown

Purple owl's clover (Castilleja exserta) 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 × 4"–8" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr, May

Native to

AZ, CA, NM

Pollinators

bees, bumble bees

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Sierra Nevada Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Central California Valley Southern California Mountains Mojave Basin and Range North American Deserts Arizona/New Mexico Mountains Chihuahuan Deserts Madrean Archipelago Sonoran Basin and Range Southern California/Northern Baja Coast

A finely textured annual wildflower, hemiparasitic on nearby grass roots, with dense spikes of magenta-purple bracts tipped in white. It grows in colorful drifts in grassland and open fields.

Growing Purple owl's clover

Grow Purple owl's clover in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 6 to 16 inches tall and spread 4 to 8 inches wide.

Wildlife value

An important early-season nectar source for native bees and bumble bees when grown in mass plantings.

Common questions

How much sun does Purple owl's clover need?: Purple owl's clover grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Purple owl's clover bloom?: Purple owl's clover blooms in March, April, and May.
Where is Purple owl's clover native?: Purple owl's clover (Castilleja exserta) is native to AZ, CA, NM, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
What pollinators does Purple owl's clover attract?: Purple owl's clover draws bees and bumble bees.

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.

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