Growing tips on Indian Paintbrush.

Castilleja integra
Item # 30805 		Castilleja integra
Orange Indian Paint Brush

each $12.99
3 or more $12.79
Bouteloua gracilis 'Hachita'
Item # 27056 		Bouteloua gracilis 'Hachita' Seed
'Hachita' Blue Grama Grass Seed

each $21.95
Bouteloua gracilis 'Hachita'
Item # 27055 		Bouteloua gracilis 'Hachita' Plugs
'Hachita' Blue Grama Grass Plugs

1 to 3 flats $44.95
4 to 12 flats $42.95
13 or more $40.95
  • Topic: Specific Planting Techniques
  • Author: Cindy Bellinger
  • Keywords: Indian paintbrush, soil, lean soil, paintbrush,, Garden Tips, gardens
  • Date: August 2005

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A reader wrote in saying she’d been having trouble growing Indian Paintbrush. She also said she needed a refresher course in lean soil.

The term ‘lean soil’ might get confusing because for us humans, when we think of being ‘lean’ we equate it with eating lots of nutrients. For soil, it’s the opposite. Any soil that isn’t rich in organic matter can be considered lean. So think of poor soil as lean. And for anyone who lives in Santa Fe, or in many places throughout the West, has poor soil.

Though some plants like richer soils with compost and humus being continually added, the xeric plants do not. And Indian Paintbrush is among them except in its first growing season.

David Salman, President of Santa Fe Greenhouses, said Indian Paintbrush like many xeric plants needs a boost its first year. “After digging the hole to plant it, mix in some Yum Yum Mix and continue fertilizing every three weeks with any dilution of liquid fertilizer and root stimulator,” he said.

He also suggested mixing the backfill soil with Soil Mender Blend® Plus to give the plants a head start. The new ‘plus’ mix now has alfalfa added, which has lots of trace minerals in it. Loosened soil at planting time will give the roots a better chance to get established.

“Then don’t let the soil get too dried out. Keep it moist,” David said. “Even though this is a xeric plant, it can’t be too dry the first year.” After the first growing season, Indian Paintbrush is adaptable to lean (poor) soils and doesn’t need to be fertilized regularly, and don’t continue to mulch.

One interesting thing about Indian Paintbrush is it has a parasitic relationship with Grama Grass. “When we ship our Indian Paintbrush, we include a plug of Grama Grass. Their roots need to mingle,” David said. The grass provides nutrients that the Indian Paintbrush needs throughout its lifespan.