Is this plant a perennial?

It is typically a biennial, meaning it completes its life cycle in two years.

Does it need a lot of water?

No, it prefers well-draining soil and is quite drought-tolerant once established.

Plant guide

Scarlet gilia.

Ipomopsis aggregata

Pronounced eye-po-MOP-sis ag-gre-GA-tuh

Also known as Scarlet Trumpet, scarlet gilia, scarlet skyrocket, skyrocket, skyrocket gilia

Scarlet gilia is a striking biennial or short lived perennial native to western North America. It produces tall spikes of tubular flowers that are a favorite of hummingbirds. You will love how it brings a splash of vibrant color to your garden.

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Biennial or short lived perennial
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 5 to 10 days
Mature size: 3 feet
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 4 to 8
Bloom time: Mid spring to late summer

Care

Plant this beauty in well draining soil where it can soak up plenty of sun. Watch for wilting during dry spells, as it prefers consistent moisture while establishing. Avoid overwatering once it is settled to prevent root rot.

Watering: Keep the soil lightly moist but never soggy while the plant is young.
Feeding: Apply a light balanced fertilizer during the early spring growth phase.
Pruning: Deadhead spent flower stalks to encourage a second flush of blooms.
Repotting: This plant has a deep taproot and generally prefers to stay in the ground.
Soil: Sandy or rocky well draining soil
Soil pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline
Temperature: -20 to 30°C
Humidity: 20 to 50%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Biennial, typically 2 years
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes
Water sitting on the surface for too long

Safety

People: The plant is generally considered non-toxic, but it is not intended for human consumption.
Children: Keep away from small children as the plant parts are not food and may cause digestive distress.
Contact allergens: The foliage can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals due to fine hairs.
Airborne allergens: Pollen may cause mild reactions in those with severe seasonal allergies.
Edibility: This plant is not considered edible and may cause stomach upset if ingested.

How to identify it

Tubular bright red flowers
Deeply divided fern like leaves
Tall slender flowering stalks
Basal rosette of foliage

Height: 0.3 to 0.9m
Spread: 0.15 to 0.3m
Leaves: green, deciduous
Flowers: red, pink, white, 2 to 4cm

Problems to watch for

Root rot · Occurs when soil remains too wet for extended periods.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed
When to plant: spring, fall
Overwintering: Leave the basal rosette of leaves intact through the winter to protect the crown. Ensure the soil is well-draining to prevent rot during wet winter months.
In containers: It grows well in containers if provided with excellent drainage and a deep pot to accommodate its taproot.

Seed sowing

1. Collect seeds in late summer after the pods dry.
2. Sow seeds directly in the garden in fall or early spring.
3. Barely cover the seeds with soil as they need light to germinate.

Group this plant with other drought-tolerant natives to create a low-maintenance pollinator haven.

Grows well with

Penstemon · They share similar water and light requirements in a rock garden setting.
Blanketflower · Both plants thrive in sunny, dry conditions and attract similar pollinators.

Similar species

Skyrocket · It is closely related and shares a similar growth habit.

Science

Family: Polemoniaceae
Genus: Ipomopsis
Order: Ericales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Western North America
Conservation: It is not currently listed as endangered, though wild collection should be avoided to protect local populations.

It thrives in dry, rocky slopes and open woodlands where it relies on hummingbirds for pollination.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: hummingbirds, butterflies, moths
Uses: pollinator gardens, wildflower meadows, rock gardens

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 8/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 3/9
Nutrients: 3/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is this plant a perennial?: It is typically a biennial, meaning it completes its life cycle in two years.
Does it need a lot of water?: No, it prefers well-draining soil and is quite drought-tolerant once established.

Where the name comes from

The name Ipomopsis comes from Greek words meaning similar to Ipomoea, while aggregata refers to the clustered arrangement of the flowers.

Good to know

It is commonly known as the scarlet gilia.
The flowers often change color as they age.
It is a biennial, meaning it grows leaves the first year and flowers the second.

Also in

Drought-tolerant plants

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This guide was generated with AI on October 19, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.