Quick answer: Giant red paintbrush (Castilleja miniata) is native to 13 states. What's commonly sold under this name is the true wild species. No live listing of the true species was found as of 24 Oct 2026.
Photo: Walter Siegmund (talk), Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Where it's native
Listed in the directory as native to these states. Click a state for its full native-plant guide.
Growing conditions
From the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Native Plant Database.
| Sun | Sun |
|---|---|
| Water | Medium |
| Soil | Moist meadows |
| Bloom | Bloom Jun-Sep |
| Height | 1-3 ft |
| Wildlife value | Hummingbirds |
Buying it
No live listing of the true wild species was found as of 24 Oct 2026 — that means our last search didn't surface one, not that the plant is unavailable.
No live seed or plant listing found as of 24 Oct 2026. That means our last search didn't surface one — not that the plant is unavailable. Try a regional native-plant nursery.
Quick answers about Giant red paintbrush
Where is Giant red paintbrush native?
Giant red paintbrush (Castilleja miniata) is native to 13 states across the Midwest and West. Check your state's page in this directory for the full list of plants native where you live.
When does Giant red paintbrush bloom?
Giant red paintbrush blooms Jun-Sep. Exact timing shifts a few weeks with latitude and elevation.
What growing conditions does Giant red paintbrush need?
Light: Sun. Water: Medium. Soil: Moist meadows. Mature height: 1-3 ft.
Is Giant red paintbrush good for pollinators and wildlife?
Yes. Wildlife value: Hummingbirds.
Where can I buy Giant red paintbrush?
We haven't found an online listing of the true wild species as of 24 Oct 2026. A regional native-plant nursery or native seed company is your best source; ask for Castilleja miniata by its scientific name.
Similar native plants
Native plants that share growing conditions or range with Giant red paintbrush.
- Saskatoon serviceberry Amelanchier alnifolia
- Rocky Mountain iris Iris missouriensis
- Seep monkeyflower Erythranthe guttata
- Colorado blue columbine Aquilegia coerulea
- Scarlet gilia Ipomopsis aggregata
- Upland larkspur Delphinium nuttallianum
Also listed under
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