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Red-maids

Calandrinia menziesii

Last reviewed: September 2026

Red-maids (Calandrinia menziesii) is a annual forb native to AZ, CA, ID, NM and 3 more states. It blooms in March, April, and May. The flowers draw native bees and flies.

Red-maids (Calandrinia menziesii)
Photo: (c) Alan Rockefeller, some rights reserved (CC BY)

Toxicity unknown

Red-maids (Calandrinia menziesii) 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

4"–12" H × 6"–12" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr, May

Native to

AZ, CA, ID, NM and 3 more states

Pollinators

native bees, flies

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 Red-maids.

A low, spreading annual with fleshy leaves and small, cup-shaped magenta-pink flowers that open in sunlight. It carpets open grassland and disturbed ground in spring, then fades as the season dries.

Growing Red-maids

Grow Red-maids in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 4 to 12 inches tall and spread 6 to 12 inches wide.

Wildlife value

Its abundant spring flowers provide nectar and pollen for small native bees and flies.

Common questions

How much sun does Red-maids need?
Red-maids grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Red-maids bloom?
Red-maids blooms in March, April, and May.
Where is Red-maids native?
Red-maids (Calandrinia menziesii) is native to AZ, CA, ID, NM and 3 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
What pollinators does Red-maids attract?
Red-maids draws native bees and flies.

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 Red-maids? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.