Species Splitleaf Indian Paintbrush
white-pink flowers with green leaves and brown stems

Splitleaf Indian Paintbrush

Castilleja rhexiifolia

Also Known As - Rosy Indian Paintbrush
The Splitleaf Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja rhexiifolia) is an exquisitely beautiful wildflower. It has a long, erect stem topped with green and purple splitleaf bracts, each individually shaped and intricately patterned, surrounding a bright yellow mouth. Its coloration can range from green to yellow, pink, or orange, giving it an eye-catching appearance. Blooming in late spring and summer, this wildflower is native to the Western United States and is rarely found in cultivation. Its splitleaf bracts provide the perfect habitat for its many pollinators, making it an important part of the ecosystem.

Watering:

Frequent

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Growth Rate:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Thorny:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

The Olympic Mountains paintbrush should be watered about once a week in the summer and about every 2 weeks in the winter. When watering, soak the soil until it is moist but not overly wet. Allow the top inch of soil to dry before watering the next time. In the winter, water less and allow much of the soil to dry out. Additionally, misting the plant occasionally can help to keep the air around the plant humid.

sunlight

Olympic Mountains Paintbrush (Castilleja parviflora var. olympica) needs a minimum of 4-6 hours of sunlight each day in order to thrive, with indirect sunlight working best for this species. Ideally, this plant should have access to direct sunlight in the early morning and late afternoon, with shade during the mid-day when temperatures tend to be highest and the sun's rays the strongest. Additionally, the plant should be placed in an area that does not receive excessive wind, as this can be drying and damaging.

pruning

Castilleja parviflora var. olympica is a plant species native to the Olympic Mountain Range in Washington State. Pruning should be done annually to maintain the desired shape and size of the plant and to ensure its health. Pruning should be done in late fall or early spring before new growth has started. It is important that any damaged, diseased, or dead stems be removed to prevent the spread of the disease. The plant should be selectively pruned taking out no more than 1-third of the canopy, focusing on thinning and removing spent flower heads. Light pruning helps to promote bushy growth and flowering. Care should be taken to ensure not to damage or cut the plant too harshly as this can lead to stunted growth.

⚠️ Perenual and its members cannot be held liable for any health issues that may arise from the information provided on the website or from using any of the plants found on the site. The information provided is intended to be used as general guidelines only.