Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja Coccinea) creates colorful wildflowers native to prairies and grasslands throughout North and South America.
This plant is also known as Scarlett Painted Cup or Prairie Fire, thanks to its red, orange, and yellow bracts. It is also a biennial. That means that it takes two years to complete a growing cycle, after which the plant will die.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Castilleja coccinea, commonly known as scarlet Indian paintbrush or scarlet painted-cup, is a biennial flowering plant in the Orobanchaceae (broomrape) family. It is usually found in prairies, rocky glades, moist and open woodlands, thickets, and along streams in central and eastern North America.
The genus name Castilleja is from the 18th-century Spanish botanist, Domingo Castillejo. The specific epithet coccinea is Latin for ‘red’.
It is an upright, hairy, 1-to-7-decimeter (3.9 to 27.6 in) tall hemiparasitic plant. In its first year, the plant appears as a basal rosette, and in the second year the stem, usually unbranched, rises from the rosette. The basal leaves are oblong and mostly entire, and usually die before the flowers appear. The alternate stem leaves are deeply and irregularly lobed and measure up to 8 cm (3 in) long. The common names for this plant reflect the showy red bracts, inside of which is the actual greenish-yellow corolla (“flower”).
Castilleja coccinea can be distinguished from other Castilleja of the southeastern US because it has a 2-to-3.5-millimeter (0.08 to 0.14 in) long, thin yellowish or orangish lip on the corolla, the inflorescence bracts are deeply lobed, and the basal rosettes of leaves are usually well-developed.
C. coccinea have color polymorphism, which means that they can be yellow or scarlet in color, and this depends on the availability of pollinators such as bees. When pollinators are present, the scarlet C. coccinea tend to have a higher reproductive output, as they have higher seed and fruit set. On the other hand, the yellow C.coccinea would have a higher reproductive output when pollinators are scarce.
Though it can survive on its own, studies indicate a forty-fold growth increase when its roots parasitize those of another plant for nutrients. It is primarily pollinated by ruby-throated hummingbirds who can transfer the pollen long distances between typically small and scattered populations of this plant.
Indian Paintbrush stems and roots are highly toxic to humans and animals. That’s because their roots absorb and concentrate selenium. Selenium toxicity can cause nausea, vomiting, and other unfortunate symptoms.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Because Indian paintbrush is naturally found in wide open areas, this wildflower needs full sun to thrive. These plants can have unpredictable foliage coloring, and shady conditions will further hinder bloom development.
Temperature and Humidity
Indian Paintbrush thrives in mid-western prairies, meadows, grasslands, and even some mountainous regions. These areas tend to have moderate humidity and temperatures.
Indian Paintbrush can easily survive cold winters, but it doesn’t like intense heat. In desert regions, this plant will suffer greatly.
Watering
The water needs for Indian Paintbrush vary based on where the plant is in its lifecycle. During the first year of life, Indian Paintbrushes need regular watering. You’ll want to keep the soil moist.
In its second year, however, Indian Paintbrushes become hardy and drought-tolerant. They still prefer moist soil but will continue to grow even if conditions become dry.
Soil
Sandy soil that stays moist but provides excellent drainage is ideal for Indian Paintbrush. If the soil becomes soggy, the Indian Paintbrush will have a hard time.
Indian Paintbrush also prefers acidic soil, between 5.1-5.5 pH, but can handle more neutral soils if needed.
Fertilizing
The scarlet painted cup is one plant you don’t want to fertilize. In fact, over-fertilizing can harm the plant. Adding compost to soil in the spring is fine to do, but additional fertilizer is not recommended.
Propagation
Propagate using seeds.
The plant freely reseeds in optimal growing conditions, and it isn’t always enough to establish annual colonies.
- To collect seeds, harvest the seed pods after they start to brown.
- The pods appear toward the end of the blooming season.
- Collect the seed pods before the drop and open.
- Place them in a brown paper bag, allowing them to dry thoroughly.
- Shake the bag occasionally to loosen the seeds.
- After several days, open the seed pods and remove the seeds.
- You may need to separate debris from the dry seed pods.
- Store the seeds in a cool, dry spot until ready to plant.
- As the plant may not survive getting transplanted, sow the seeds in the garden.
- Prepare an area with well-drained soil in full sun in the early spring.
In cooler regions, wait until the beginning of summer to sow the seeds, ensuring temperatures are at least 55° to 65° degrees Fahrenheit (13° – 18° C).
- Scatter the seeds over the soil and cover with a light dusting of soil.
- It may take several months for the seeds to germinate.
- If sown at the start of spring, new growth should appear in the middle of the summer.
- Plants sown later in the year may not appear until the start of fall.
- By winter, the plant should have a low-growing rosette of foliage.
During the second year, flowers should appear in the early spring or early summer, depending on when the seeds were sown the previous year.
The plant will then die again, requiring another round of propagation.
Planting new seeds each year ensures a continual colony of Indian paintbrushes along with flowers each year instead of every other year.
Potting and Replanting
Indian Paintbrush doesn’t transplant well, so potting and replanting isn’t an option for this plant if you plan to keep it long-term.
Grooming
Grooming isn’t needed for the Indian paintbrush.
The plant reaches its full height during the first year, produces flowers during the second year, and then dies off.
Pests and Diseases
Castilleja coccinea doesn’t suffer from any serious insect or disease problems.
Avoid planting Indian paintbrushes in areas where animals, pets, or children may be tempted to eat the plant.
While it’s not toxic, the Indian paintbrush contains high levels of selenium.
Consuming large portions of the plant may lead to acute selenium toxicity.
Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and foul breath.
How to Get to Bloom
- Bloom Months
Bloom time is inconsistent, but you may spot blooms and bracts between February and May. Some regions may see blooms and bracts in July.
- What do Indian Paintbrush Flowers Look and Smell Like?
Indian paintbrush flowers are unique in that they have bracts (pseudo leaves) that look like petals that were dipped in reddish-orange paint. What you are seeing are not the actual flowers of the plant, which are tiny and insignificant, but the bracts that are protecting the blossoms. The more flowers you have, the more bracts you will see. Blooms and bracts can be unpredictable in color, producing vibrant foliage one year and dull the next or vice-versa. This plant does not have a fragrance.
- How to Encourage More Blooms
Make sure the plants are not overwatered or there will be no blooms and fewer bracts. Full sun, but not scorching sunlight, will encourage more blooms and bracts.
III. Uses and Benefits
The blooms on the Indian Paintbrush are edible in moderate amounts. Traditionally, Native Americans consumed the flowers as a condiment for other leafy greens. Eaten in that way, the blooms have similar health benefits to garlic.
Find Where to Buy the Best Scarlett Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja coccinea)
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