Castilleja applegatei

Common Names

Wavyleaf Indian Paintbrush, Applegate's Indian Paintbrush, Pine Indian Paintbrush

Summary

Native to the western United States, this short perennial has erect to decumbent stems, green to purplish, sticky, wavy-edged leaves, and bright paintbrush-shaped inflorescences of small red to yellowish-red tubular flowers; it is hemiparasitic, photosynthesizing while tapping host roots, with hosts accelerating growth and size.

For cultivation, requires full sun on dry, open sites with well-drained soil, with a preference for loamy or clay soils and poor performance in sandy soils; it is drought-tolerant and low-maintenance once established; propagation occurs by seeds sown in spring or by root cuttings in late spring, and plants are short-lived perennials (2–3 years) that can self-seed with proper host for ongoing color; ideal hosts include grasses or wildflowers; also can attract hummingbirds.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

12-24 inches

Spread

6-18 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 6a-10b

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun, also suitable in partial sun and partial shade

Soil Type

Well-drained loamy soil rich in organic matter

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil

Soil pH

6.5

Bloom Color

Red

Bloom Time

Spring and Summer

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

Green, Red

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Fast

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Root cuttings / division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts butterflies