Indian Pink
Spigelia marilandica
Indian pink is a native woodland wildflower with upright red and yellow tubular flowers in late spring and early summer. Hummingbirds visit the flowers. It grows in part to full shade in moist, rich soil. All parts are poisonous if eaten.
At a Glance
| Plant type | Woodland perennial wildflower |
|---|---|
| Family | Logania family (Loganiaceae) |
| Other names | Woodland pinkroot, Carolina pink, pinkroot. Sometimes sold as fire pink, a name more often used for a different plant, Silene virginica. |
| Native range | East-central and southeastern United States, from Illinois south to Florida and west to Texas. Grows in forests. |
| Mature height | 1 to 2 feet, sometimes 3 feet |
| Mature spread | 6 to 18 inches |
| Growth rate | Medium |
| Flowers | Red and yellow tubular flowers 1 to 3 inches long, 2 to 12 on one side of each stem. May to June. They open from the bottom up over about a month. |
| Foliage | Glossy, opposite leaves 3 to 6 inches long. Dies to the ground in winter. |
| Toxicity | Poisonous if eaten. All parts, including the roots and seeds, are listed as toxic. Symptoms can include vomiting, dim vision, dilated pupils, facial twitching, and convulsions. Sources disagree on how toxic it is; North Carolina State Extension rates the severity as low. |
Growing Conditions
| USDA hardiness zones | 5 to 9 |
|---|---|
| Sun | Part shade to full shade |
| Soil | Moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter |
| Soil pH | Slightly acidic to neutral |
| Water | Medium. Tolerates both wet soil and drought. |
| Tolerates | Drought, wet soil |
| Does poorly with | Salty soil, competition from aggressive plants |
Will It Grow Here?
Yes, anywhere in our area. Indian Pink is hardy in zones 5 to 9, which covers every zone in our area (6b through 8a).
| Zone | Grows here? | Towns in this zone |
|---|---|---|
| 6b (our farm) | Yes | Lebanon, MO; Bolivar, MO; Iola, KS; Garnett, KS |
| 7a | Yes | Springfield, MO; Joplin, MO; Fayetteville, AR; Bentonville, AR |
| 7b | Yes | Harrison, AR; Tulsa, OK; Broken Arrow, OK; Tahlequah, OK |
| 8a | Yes | Van Buren, AR; Alma, AR |
Not sure which zone you're in? Look up your ZIP code on the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (opens in a new tab).
-
Missouri zone map (full size, opens in a new tab)
-
Arkansas zone map (full size, opens in a new tab)
-
Oklahoma zone map (full size, opens in a new tab)
-
Kansas zone map (full size, opens in a new tab)
Official 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Maps. Tap a map to open it full size.
Maps: USDA Agricultural Research Service, with mapping by the PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University.
Plant Patent
Not patented. This is the straight species, not a named variety, so there are no restrictions on growing it from seed or division.
About the Indian Pink
Indian pink is a native wildflower of woodlands in the east-central and southeastern United States. In late spring and early summer it sends up stems of upright, tubular flowers that are red with yellow at the tip. Hummingbirds visit them. Each stem blooms from the bottom up for about a month.
It’s sometimes sold as “fire pink,” but that name usually means a different wildflower, Silene virginica. This page is for Spigelia marilandica.
Choosing a Spot
- Shade. Part shade to full shade.
- Moist, rich soil with good drainage. Avoid salty soil.
- Keep aggressive plants away. It isn’t an aggressive grower and may need help competing with spreading plants.
- Mark the spot. It dies to the ground in winter, so it’s easy to weed out or dig into by mistake.
Planting
Set the plant so its crown, where the stems meet the roots, is even with the soil line. Container-grown plants can be planted at any time of year. Water them in well.
Watering
Most garden perennials need 1 to 2 inches of water a week in summer, from rain or watering. Once established, Indian pink tolerates both wet soil and dry spells.
Mulch and Fertilizer
Mulch 2 to 4 inches deep. If the plant needs feeding, a light application of a balanced fertilizer when growth starts in spring is enough for most perennials.
Pruning
No pruning needed. Removing faded flowers before they set seed extends the bloom season. The plant dies back to the ground in winter on its own.
Common Problems
No significant insect or disease problems are reported. The main risks are being crowded out by aggressive plants and being dug up by mistake while it’s dormant.
Good for Wildlife
Hummingbirds visit the flowers for nectar, and songbirds are attracted to it too.
Propagation
Grow it from seed or divide the clumps. One source says it doesn’t root well from cuttings. To collect seed, cover the green seed capsules with netting, since they release their seeds in June and July.
Availability
Currently out of stock until Spring 2027.
Our nursery stock changes through the season. Contact us to check what we have on hand, current sizes, and pricing.
Sources
Growing information on this page was checked against these public references:
- Spigelia marilandica (North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox) (opens in a new tab)
- Spigelia marilandica, A Pollinator Friendly Native Plant (University of Florida IFAS Extension, Jackson County) (opens in a new tab)
- Herbaceous Ornamentals, MG9 (University of Missouri Extension) (opens in a new tab)
Disclaimer: The information on this page is based on publicly available knowledge and research. Individual results may vary.