Indian Pink Plant Care
Spigelia marilandica (L.) L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Spigelia marilandica, the woodland pinkroot or Indian pink is a herbacious perennial wildflower in the Loganiaceae family native to inland areas of the Southeastern and Midwestern United States.
Every 7–10 days
Partial shade to full shade
60–75°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Indian Pink?
Water Indian Pink every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it partial shade to full shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–75°F (16–24°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Indian Pink Native To?
What Is the Indian Pink?
Indian Pink (Spigelia marilandica) belongs to the Loganiaceae family within the Spigelia genus. Indian Pink is native to inland areas of the Southeastern and Midwestern United States. Indian Pink is also known as Pinkroot, Wormgrass.
Indian Pink displays an upright, clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Indian Pink produces tubular red or pink flowers with yellow throats.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Indian Pink?
Spigelia marilandica requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Indian Pink Need?
Indian Pink thrives in partial shade to full shade. The optimal light range is 100–1,000 lux. Avoid placing Indian Pink in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Partial shade to full shade
100–1,000 lux
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Indian Pink Prefer?
Spigelia marilandica grows best at temperatures of 60–75°F. Indian Pink prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
60–75°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Indian Pink?
Rich, well-draining soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Indian Pink to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Indian Pink?
Feed Indian Pink every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Indian Pink?
Repot every 1-2 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Indian Pink?
Indian Pink can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to spigelia alabamensis plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Indian Pink Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
Toxic to humans and pets if ingested
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Indian Pink?
Indian Pink is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, scale insects. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Indian Pink Need?
Indian Pink grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Indian Pink is native to inland areas of the Southeastern and Midwestern United States. In cooler regions, grow Indian Pink as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Indian Pink is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Spigelia genus — compare its care with other Spigelia species on PlantoScan.
Spigelia is part of the Loganiaceae plant family — browse all Loganiaceae genera and species.
Indian Pink copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Spigelia marilandica (L.) L., family Loganiaceae (first published in Syst. Nat. ed. 12 , 2: 734 (1767)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Indian Pink is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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