Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja coccinea)

Indian paintbrush is a biennial Missouri native.  During its first year, it forms a small set of basal leaves.  The following year it blooms and produces seed. It is a hemiparasitic plant that receives a portion of its nutrients from a broad range of host plants.  Because it relies on other plants and is a biennial, we do not grow potted plants.  Most years we have seed available and usually include it in our seed mixes.

Uses:  meadow plantings, hummingbirds, glades, butterflies
Bloom time:  April & May

Height:  10 to 20 inches
Space:  12 to 20 inches

Sun:  Full sun
Moisture:  dry to moist

Seed:  Check plants for ripe seed in mid May.  Needs 6 to 8 weeks cold moist stratification; sow by February.

• 180,000 seeds per ounce
• 1 ounce per 5,000 square feet
• 0.5 pounds per acre