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. We have rated it as a 1-Star plant for formal settings because it doesn't seem to survive well in cultivated beds.

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.  Fresh seed sown sown late spring through summer will likely germinate and overwinter as a small cluster of basal leaves. These plants should be ready to bloom the following year.

• 458,000 seeds per ounce
• 1 ounce per 15,200 square feet (30 seeds/square foot)