Wholeleaf indian paintbrush
Castilleja integra
Last reviewed: September 2026
Wholeleaf indian paintbrush (Castilleja integra) is a perennial forb native to AZ, CO, NM, TX. It blooms in May, June, July, August, and September. The flowers draw hummingbirds.
Toxicity unknown
Wholeleaf indian paintbrush (Castilleja integra) 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
8"–16" H × 8"–12" W
Bloom
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Native to
AZ, CO, NM, TX
Pollinators
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 458 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaBrowse plants for this ecoregion
An upright paintbrush with narrow gray-green leaves and brilliant red-orange bracts surrounding small tubular flowers. Like other paintbrushes it is hemiparasitic, tapping into the roots of neighboring grasses and shrubs for part of its nutrition, so it establishes best alongside companion plants rather than alone.
Growing Wholeleaf indian paintbrush
Grow Wholeleaf indian paintbrush in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 8 to 16 inches tall and spread 8 to 12 inches wide.
Wildlife value
The bright tubular blooms are a strong hummingbird draw through much of the growing season.
Common questions
- How much sun does Wholeleaf indian paintbrush need?
- Wholeleaf indian paintbrush grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Wholeleaf indian paintbrush bloom?
- Wholeleaf indian paintbrush blooms in May, June, July, August, and September.
- Where is Wholeleaf indian paintbrush native?
- Wholeleaf indian paintbrush (Castilleja integra) is native to AZ, CO, NM, TX, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
- What pollinators does Wholeleaf indian paintbrush attract?
- Wholeleaf indian paintbrush draws hummingbirds.
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.
- 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 Wholeleaf indian paintbrush? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.