Indian Pink

Spigelia marilandica

Regular price $18

Container size:
4.5 in. wide x 5 in. deep / 32 fl. oz.

More plants available in 2025

Indian Pink or Woodland Pinkroot is a low-growing native plant with red tubular flowers opening in late spring to reveal star-shaped yellow centers.

  • Hummingbird favorite
  • Tolerates shade
  • Compact growth

Details

  • 1 to 2 ft. tall and wide
  • Clump-forming habit
  • Leaves and stems die back in the fall and appear again in the spring
  • Hardy in USDA hardiness zones 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9

Flowering period

In central North Carolina, flowering starts in May and can continue through most of the summer if plants are kept moist and old flowers are removed to produce more blooms.

How to grow

Adaptable, but prefers rich, moist soil that is not too acidic. In the wild Indian Pink grows in shady woods where it tends to have fewer flowers. Giving it some sun will produce more flowers and keep it compact. Plants can also be grown in full sun if the soil stays fairly moist.

Care and maintenance

Keep larger plants and weeds from invading its space. By selecting a good site and preparing the soil, plants will take care of themselves. Protect new growth in spring with chicken wire if rabbits lurk in your garden. 

Where to plant

In groups at the front of flower beds or the edge of a moist woodland garden. Makes an attractive container plant.

When to plant

Spring and the fall (in the South) are the best times. Indian Pink can be planted in the summer if attention is given to keeping plants watered until they get established.

Spacing

12 to 18 inches apart when planting in a group.

When will my plant flower?

Plants purchased and planted before June should flower their first year.

Native habitat and range

Woodlands and forests, often in circumneutral (nearly neutral pH) soil from southwest North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee west to southern Indiana and Oklahoma and south into Florida.

Source and origin

Plants are propagated from seed collected here at our nursery. The original source of the seed is unknown.

States Orders up to $50 Orders $51 to $100 Orders over $100
AL, DE, GA, KY, MD, NC, OH, PA, SC, TN, VA, and WV $16 $18 $20
AR, CT, FL, IL, IN, LA, MA, MI, MO, MS, NH, NJ, NY, RI, VT, and WI $18 $20 $22
IA, KS, ME, MN, OK, and TX $20 $22 $24
CO, NE, ND, and SD $22 $24 $26

 

Sorry, we can't ship plants outside of the continental United States or to AK, AZ, CA, HI, ID, NM, NV, OR, UT, and WA due to agriculture restrictions.

When will my order be shipped?

All plants are shipped within two weeks of placing an order.

Is it okay to plant in the winter?

Yes, as long as the soil is not frozen. Planting native perennials in winter and early spring gives your plants a head start before the summer heat arrives.

What if it’s too cold to plant where I live, but I want to buy a plant before it sells out?

Dormant plants can safely be kept in a basement, garage, or cool room until you are ready to plant in late winter or early spring.

How will my plants get delivered?

Most orders are shipped on Monday or Tuesday via UPS Ground, which depending on the destination takes between 1 to 4 days.

Are your plants shipped in their containers?

Yes, all our plants are shipped in their growing containers. The majority are grown in containers that are 4.5 inches wide by 5 inches deep and 32 fl. oz. / 946 ml in volume.

Do you guarantee your plants?

We guarantee our plants to be healthy, ready for planting and correctly named. We are not able to guarantee whether a plant will grow in your garden as there are too many circumstances that are beyond our control.
On rare occasions, a plant shipped dormant may fail to emerge from its dormancy. If this happens, please let us know. If you are concerned about a plant, please contact us within 14 days to let us know. If we can’t help you make it grow, we’ll send you a new plant or issue a refund.

Can I return my plants?

You can return your plants if you no longer want them once they arrive. To receive a refund (minus 20% restocking fee) the plants must be returned in good condition. Return shipping is the customer’s responsibility. 

Can I cancel my order?

Yes, you can cancel your order. Please visit our terms and service page for details.

What about sales tax?

We propagate our own plants and are not required to collect North Carolina sales tax.

Where can I find information about your plants?

Here are some FAQ on how we grow plants.