Quick answer: Indian blanket (Gaillardia pulchella) is native to 17 states. What's commonly sold under this name is often a bred variety or the wrong species — see the lookalike alert below. It's typically seed, verified 15 Sep 2026.
Photo: Rhododendrites, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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, Part Shade |
|---|---|
| Water | Medium water, Dry |
| Soil | Sandy or calcareous soils, often disturbed places, circumneutral pH, high calcium carbonate tolerance |
| Bloom | Bloom May-Aug |
| Height | Up to 2 ft tall |
| Wildlife value | Special value to native bees, attracts butterflies, moderate deer resistance |
Naturalized east to Atlantic states and west to CA beyond native range; "casual migrant or escape northeastward" — not formally regulated.
Lookalike alert
Annual form; disputed nativity in Florida (FANN delisted it as a FL native in 2022); consistent "Arizona Sun" perennial-cultivar trap warning across all 9.
Sold as: Seed via Amazon · listing verified 15 Sep 2026
See where to buy →Quick answers about Indian blanket
Where is Indian blanket native?
Indian blanket (Gaillardia pulchella) is native to 17 states across the South and West. Check your state's page in this directory for the full list of plants native where you live.
When does Indian blanket bloom?
Indian blanket blooms May-Aug. Exact timing shifts a few weeks with latitude and elevation.
What growing conditions does Indian blanket need?
Light: Sun, Part Shade. Water: Medium water, Dry. Soil: Sandy or calcareous soils, often disturbed places, circumneutral pH, high calcium carbonate tolerance. Mature height: Up to 2 ft tall.
Is Indian blanket good for pollinators and wildlife?
Yes. Wildlife value: Special value to native bees, attracts butterflies, moderate deer resistance.
Is Indian blanket deer-resistant or drought-tolerant?
Indian blanket is deer-resistant and drought-tolerant.
Where can I buy real Indian blanket seed or plants?
We found a listing sold as seed that names the true species, last checked 15 Sep 2026. Be aware that some sellers offer bred varieties under this name.
Similar native plants
Native plants that share growing conditions or range with Indian blanket.
- Lemon beebalm Monarda citriodora
- Lyreleaf sage Salvia lyrata
- Spotted beebalm Monarda punctata
- Hollow Joe-pye weed Eutrochium fistulosum
- White wild indigo Baptisia alba
- Indiangrass Sorghastrum nutans
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