Wight's Paintbrush
Castilleja wightii
Last reviewed: August 2026
Castilleja wightii is a perennial wildflower of coastal bluffs and grasslands that blooms from June through August, drawing bees and hummingbirds to its red bracts.
Toxicity unknown
Wight's Paintbrush (Castilleja wightii) 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
part sun
Water
medium
Size
4"–16" H × 4"–12" W
Bloom
Jun, Jul, Aug
Native to
CA, OR
Pollinators
bees, hummingbirds
Before you buy
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Wight's paintbrush is a low-growing native wildflower with colorful bracts that create striking red-orange flower displays. This compact perennial forms neat clumps and blooms reliably through summer months. It adds vibrant color to native plant gardens while maintaining a tidy, controlled appearance.
Growing Wight's Paintbrush
Grow Wight's Paintbrush in part sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 4 to 16 inches tall and spread 4 to 12 inches wide. Expect moderate maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Wight's Paintbrush is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: moderate. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.
Works well in: front yard, foundation, mid zone.
- May be unfamiliar to traditionalist neighbors
- Requires established native plant context
Wildlife value
The bright tubular flowers attract hummingbirds and native bees during its long summer blooming period. Its compact size makes it an excellent pollinator plant for smaller garden spaces.
Common questions
- When does Castilleja wightii bloom?
- Castilleja wightii typically flowers from June through August, with bract color peaking during the summer months.
- What pollinators visit Castilleja wightii?
- Bees and hummingbirds are the main visitors, drawn to the tubular flowers hidden within the colorful bracts.
- How much water does Castilleja wightii need?
- This species does best with moderate moisture and can tolerate drier periods once established, reflecting its coastal grassland and bluff habitat.
- What light conditions suit Castilleja wightii?
- It grows well in full sun to part sun, similar to the open coastal sites and grasslands where it is often found.
- Is Wight's Paintbrush HOA-friendly?
- Wight's Paintbrush is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with moderate maintenance.
These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.
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.
- 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 Wight's Paintbrush? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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