Plant Care Scarlet Indian Paintbrush

Scarlet Indian Paintbrush

About Scarlet Indian Paintbrush

Scarlet Indian Paintbrush is a super rare houseplant 🌿 that is isn’t challenging to grow and needs regular watering to thrive. They do best in long-lasting, direct light ☀️ and should be less than 1 foot from a window.

Scarlet Indian Paintbrush likes soil that is good at retaining moisture.

Scarlet Indian Paintbrush belongs to the Castilleja genus, and is native to Central Canada to the Eastern United States.

⚠️ Scarlet Indian Paintbrush is extremely dangerous if consumed. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian immediately. These plants are not recommended for homes with children, cats, or dogs.

Taxonomy

Castilleja coccinea
Castilleja
Orobanchaceae
Lamiales

Also known as

Scarlet Indian paintbrush and scarlet painted-cup

How to care for Scarlet Indian Paintbrush

💦 Water

How often to water your Scarlet Indian Paintbrush

Water needs for Scarlet Indian Paintbrush
0.5 cups
every 9

Scarlet Indian Paintbrush needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

Select the pot size

5"
☀️ Light

Finding light for Scarlet Indian Paintbrush in your home

Light needs and placement for plant Scarlet Indian Paintbrush: 1ft from a window
1ft or less from
a window

Scarlet Indian Paintbrush love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Scarlet Indian Paintbrush does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Scarlet Indian Paintbrush in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Scarlet Indian Paintbrush

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Scarlet Indian Paintbrush: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Scarlet Indian Paintbrush after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

💡 FAQs
⭐ Difficulty Level

Scarlet Indian Paintbrush is generally easy to care for, though some plant parents report facing challenges with growing it. Check out the reviews down below to read more about their experiences!


💦 Water Needs

Scarlet Indian Paintbrush prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.


☀️ Sunlight Needs

Scarlet Indian Paintbrush requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.


🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Scarlet Indian Paintbrush is extremely dangerous if consumed. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian immediately. Scarlet Indian Paintbrush is not recommended for homes with children, cats, or dogs.


🪴 Soil

Scarlet Indian Paintbrush is very sensitive to dry soil, so choose a potting soil that retains moisture. A good soil will still drain well and contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir or sphagnum moss.


⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Scarlet Indian Paintbrush grows vertically and new growth will emerge from the top of the plant.


🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Scarlet Indian Paintbrush can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 4a-8b. Find your local hardiness zone here.


🍂 Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.

Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Scarlet Indian Paintbrush, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.

Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!


🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.


Care Summary for Scarlet Indian Paintbrush

Scarlet Indian Paintbrush


Greg recommends:

Water

0.5 cups every 9 days

Placement

< 1ft from a window

Nutrients

Repot after 2x growth

Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.

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