woodland wildflower
Standing cypress
Ipomopsis rubra
Also known as Texas Plume, Red Texas Star, Red Gilia, standing-cypress
1 of 3Native to the Southeast
Central Texas, east to Kentucky, North Carolina and Florida
- Light Full sun to part shade Sun tolerance
- Moisture Dry Moisture preference
- Zones 7–9 Cold to heat range
- Bloom May–Aug Flowering time
- Height up to 6 ft to 1.8 m
- Life cycle Biennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A woodland wildflower for full sun to part shade and lean, dry soil. Its red flowers peak in June. At up to 6 ft, it needs room in shade gardens and woodland edges. Hardy in USDA zones 7–9.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
Hardiness zones
Find your zone:
When it blooms
The Standing cypress's red flowers bloom May to August, peaking in June. This early-summer display draws butterflies and hummingbirds.
Standing cypress blooms red, orange & yellowFoliage
Pollinators & wildlife
- Butterflies Two-tailed Swallowtail also Palamedes Swallowtail, Papilio cresphontes
- Hummingbirds Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Butterflies that use this plant
Documented host and nectar records. Each links to a planting guide for that butterfly.
- Giant swallowtailnectar
- Palamedes swallowtailnectar
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- WoodlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- The SoutheastUnited States (13): AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MO, MS, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Central Texas, east to Kentucky, North Carolina and FloridaThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Full sun to part shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Moisture
- DryThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 7–9The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
- Soil
- Dry, sandy or rocky soils. Gravelly, Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium LoamThe soils it grows in naturally.
- Water use
- MediumHow thirsty it is, a rough guide to how often to water.
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 6 ft (to 1.8 m)Typical mature height.
- Life cycle
- BiennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- WildflowerWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- May–AugWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- Red, Orange, YellowThe bloom color, or colors.
- Fruit/Seeds
- ripens Jun–SepThe seed or fruit it sets after flowering.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.