When does Castilleja coccinea bloom?

Castilleja coccinea typically flowers from May through July, with bract color ranging from scarlet red to orange-red.

What growing conditions does Scarlet Indian Paintbrush need?

This forb prefers full sun and low to medium moisture. It grows best in open prairies, meadows, and savannas with well-drained soil.

What pollinators visit Castilleja coccinea?

Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds are drawn to the tubular flowers hidden beneath the colorful bracts.

Is Scarlet Indian Paintbrush easy to establish in a garden?

It can be difficult to establish because it is hemiparasitic and often grows best alongside host grasses or forbs that support its root system.

Is Scarlet Indian Paintbrush toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Scarlet Indian Paintbrush as toxic to livestock.

Is Scarlet Indian Paintbrush HOA-friendly?

Scarlet Indian Paintbrush takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Scarlet Indian Paintbrush

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Castilleja coccinea

Last reviewed: September 2026

Scarlet Indian Paintbrush is a low-growing forb with brilliant red bracts that bloom from May through July. It thrives in full sun on prairies, meadows, and open woodland edges with average to dry soil.

Toxicity unknown

Scarlet Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja coccinea) 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.

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Scarlet Indian Paintbrush as toxic to livestock.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

12"–24" H × 6"–12" W

Bloom

May, Jun, Jul

Native to

AL, AR, CT, DE and 29 more states

Pollinators

bees, butterflies, 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 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Scarlet Indian paintbrush produces distinctive bright red-orange flower bracts that create stunning color displays from May through July. This compact native wildflower grows in neat clumps and thrives in sunny, well-drained locations with minimal water needs.

Growing Scarlet Indian Paintbrush

Grow Scarlet Indian Paintbrush in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 12 to 24 inches tall and spread 6 to 12 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Scarlet Indian Paintbrush takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Appearance too wild/weedy for most HOA standards
May be unfamiliar to traditional gardeners
Can look sparse when not blooming

Wildlife value

The vibrant blooms attract hummingbirds, native bees, and butterflies throughout the growing season. This plant serves as an important nectar source during peak summer months.

Common questions

When does Castilleja coccinea bloom?: Castilleja coccinea typically flowers from May through July, with bract color ranging from scarlet red to orange-red.
What growing conditions does Scarlet Indian Paintbrush need?: This forb prefers full sun and low to medium moisture. It grows best in open prairies, meadows, and savannas with well-drained soil.
What pollinators visit Castilleja coccinea?: Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds are drawn to the tubular flowers hidden beneath the colorful bracts.
Is Scarlet Indian Paintbrush easy to establish in a garden?: It can be difficult to establish because it is hemiparasitic and often grows best alongside host grasses or forbs that support its root system.
Is Scarlet Indian Paintbrush toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Scarlet Indian Paintbrush as toxic to livestock.
Is Scarlet Indian Paintbrush HOA-friendly?: Scarlet Indian Paintbrush takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

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 Scarlet Indian 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

Planning a bed around it? Start a free plan with this plant

Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz