Exserted Indian Paintbrush

Castilleja exserta subsp. exserta

annualView on Calscape

Care

Sun

full sun

Water

very low

Soil

Fast, Medium, Slow; Tolerant of sand and clay, prefers fast-draining soil.

Size

2–2ft tall, 1–1ft wide

Bloom

Mar-May

Deer

Resistant

Container

Friendly

Flowers

Prized

Native Range

Coastal grassland and scrub from Sonoma County south to Kern County, primarily below 2000 ft elevation

Care Guide

Planting

Plant your Exserted Indian Paintbrush in full sun with fast-draining soil; it tolerates sand and clay but prefers good drainage. The critical step: plant it alongside a native perennial grass or other host plant from its natural community, since this species derives nutrients directly from neighboring plant roots and won't thrive alone. Plant in fall or early spring to establish before summer arrives.

After Planting

This is a low-maintenance annual once established - it needs no summer water and is very drought-tolerant. The #1 mistake is planting it without a companion host plant; without one, it will struggle or fail entirely. Your plant will flower March through May and won't require pruning or fussing; just let it grow naturally in its meadow-like setting.

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Endangered & Threatened Species Supported

Bayensis checkerspot butterflyEuphydryas editha bayensis

Federally endangered since 1967; restricted to serpentine grasslands in Bay Area

Federal: Endangered, CA: Endangered

Edith's checkerspot butterflyEuphydryas editha

Some subspecies federally protected; species has state endangered designation

CA: Endangered

California ringlet butterflyCoenonympha california

California state threatened species

CA: Threatened

Chalcedon CheckerspotEuphydryas chalcedona