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False Indigo (Baptisia)
False Indigo are not members of the same genus as true indigo, which is used to make indigo dye. However, many species of false Indigo are used for indigo dye substitute, which has given them the nickname 'false indigos.' Many false Indigo boast showy purple flowers and are used as ornamentals in gardens and parks.
Lifespan
Perennial
Key Facts About False Indigo
Feedback
Attributes of False Indigo
Plant Height
91 cm to 1.2 m
Spread
90 cm to 1.2 m
Leaf type
Deciduous
Scientific Classification of False Indigo
Distribution of False Indigo
Feedback
Distribution Map of False Indigo
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
How to Grow and Care for False Indigo
Feedback
False Indigo, a hardy, perennial genus, requires simple, low-maintenance care. These sun-loving plants thrive in well-drained soil and tolerate slight drought. They prefer cool to moderate temperatures. However, they may face challenges like bacterial leaf spot, powdery mildew, and aphid infestation. While they are relatively disease-resistant, poor drainage can lead to crown rot. Seasonally, they require pruning after flowering and before new growth in spring. Minor adjustments to watering may be needed in dry summers or harsh winters.
Exploring the False Indigo Plants
Feedback
8 most common species：
Blue wild indigo
Blue wild indigo is a wildflower native to the Eastern United States. The flowers bloom throughout the spring and resemble pea blossoms, however, they are a lovely blue-purple. The plant juice can actually be used to make a purple dye if true indigo is not available.
White wild indigo
White wild indigo (*Baptisia alba*) is a perennial wildflower that grows best in full sunlight or partial shade. It is naturally found in pine woods, along riverbanks, and forest edges. This plant is a larval host plant for the wild indigo duskywing and Moroccan duskywing butterflies. It is also browsed by rabbits and deer. A variety of birds are attracted to white wild indigo seeds.
Yellow wild indigo
Yellow wild indigo (Baptisia sphaerocarpa) is a herbaceous perennial that will grow from 61 to 91 cm tall. Showy yellow flowers bloom in spring. Pea-shaped blossoms grow on an attractive greenish-yellow stem and give way to seed pods that turn from tan to brown. The highly sought-after seed pods are often used in dried flower arrangements.
Longbract wild indigo
Longbract wild indigo (Baptisia bracteata) is a plant in the pea family (Fabaceae). “Baptisia” means “to dye.” The Latin name comes from the fact that people used the showy flowers of this plant for hundreds of years to add color to their clothing. This species is native to the North American continent.
Wild Indigo
Wild Indigo(Baptisia tinctoria) is an herbaceous perennial native to eastern North America. In the olden days, people made dye from this plant. It flourishes best in full sunlight and looks fantastic in a cottage garden.
Wild indigos 'Lunar Eclipse'
Wild indigos 'Lunar Eclipse''s showy flowers display a glorious gradient of color, starting from a deep purple at their base and transitioning to white at the top. This Baptisia cultivar's name was given after its defining characteristic, vibrant blooms that resemble the colors of the moon when it's in Earth's shadow.
Wild indigos 'Pink Lemonade'
Wild indigos 'Pink Lemonade' is known for displaying its pea-shaped flowers in both soft yellow and pink-lavender at the same time. Adding to the impact are dark charcoal stems. This is a cultivar of wild indigo and part of the Decadence® Deluxe series. The name is a reference to its unusual blend of colors. It makes a fabulous display in any informal garden.
Wild indigos 'Solar Flare'
Wild indigos 'Solar Flare' is a perennial false indigo, specifically developed for its bicolor flowers. In this cultivar, the flowers begin bright yellow but soften into orange. It grows in a neat, rounded habit that requires little shaping throughout the season. This cultivar is extremely attractive to both butterflies and hummingbirds.
All Species of False Indigo
Blue wild indigo
Blue wild indigo
Blue wild indigo is a wildflower native to the Eastern United States. The flowers bloom throughout the spring and resemble pea blossoms, however, they are a lovely blue-purple. The plant juice can actually be used to make a purple dye if true indigo is not available.
White wild indigo
White wild indigo
White wild indigo (*Baptisia alba*) is a perennial wildflower that grows best in full sunlight or partial shade. It is naturally found in pine woods, along riverbanks, and forest edges. This plant is a larval host plant for the wild indigo duskywing and Moroccan duskywing butterflies. It is also browsed by rabbits and deer. A variety of birds are attracted to white wild indigo seeds.
Yellow wild indigo
Yellow wild indigo
Yellow wild indigo (Baptisia sphaerocarpa) is a herbaceous perennial that will grow from 61 to 91 cm tall. Showy yellow flowers bloom in spring. Pea-shaped blossoms grow on an attractive greenish-yellow stem and give way to seed pods that turn from tan to brown. The highly sought-after seed pods are often used in dried flower arrangements.
Longbract wild indigo
Longbract wild indigo
Longbract wild indigo (Baptisia bracteata) is a plant in the pea family (Fabaceae). “Baptisia” means “to dye.” The Latin name comes from the fact that people used the showy flowers of this plant for hundreds of years to add color to their clothing. This species is native to the North American continent.
Wild Indigo
Wild Indigo
Wild Indigo(Baptisia tinctoria) is an herbaceous perennial native to eastern North America. In the olden days, people made dye from this plant. It flourishes best in full sunlight and looks fantastic in a cottage garden.
Wild indigos 'Lunar Eclipse'
Wild indigos 'Lunar Eclipse'
Wild indigos 'Lunar Eclipse''s showy flowers display a glorious gradient of color, starting from a deep purple at their base and transitioning to white at the top. This Baptisia cultivar's name was given after its defining characteristic, vibrant blooms that resemble the colors of the moon when it's in Earth's shadow.
Wild indigos 'Pink Lemonade'
Wild indigos 'Pink Lemonade'
Wild indigos 'Pink Lemonade' is known for displaying its pea-shaped flowers in both soft yellow and pink-lavender at the same time. Adding to the impact are dark charcoal stems. This is a cultivar of wild indigo and part of the Decadence® Deluxe series. The name is a reference to its unusual blend of colors. It makes a fabulous display in any informal garden.
Wild indigos 'Solar Flare'
Wild indigos 'Solar Flare'
Wild indigos 'Solar Flare' is a perennial false indigo, specifically developed for its bicolor flowers. In this cultivar, the flowers begin bright yellow but soften into orange. It grows in a neat, rounded habit that requires little shaping throughout the season. This cultivar is extremely attractive to both butterflies and hummingbirds.
Wild indigos 'Twilite'
Wild indigos 'Twilite'
Wild indigos 'Twilite' is a false indigo selected, which in this cultivar are a deep purple contrasted with a splash of golden yellow, a combination that recalls a sunset. It grows to maturity unusually quickly and will be ready to produce flowers in three years. It is vigorous and provides color and interest in the garden for much of the year.
Wild indigos 'Vanilla Cream'
Wild indigos 'Vanilla Cream'
Wild indigos 'Vanilla Cream' is a compact bush with dark green foliage and pure white flowers that bloom from late spring to early summer. It is a cultivar of Baptisia, bred by plant hybridizer Hans Hansen. It is part of his Decadence® series, and named for its white color. Looks stunning in a border or as a focal point next to a water feature.
Blue wild indigo 'Purple Smoke'
Blue wild indigo 'Purple Smoke'
A very old wild indigo hybrid, the blue wild indigo 'Purple Smoke' is a slightly larger but compact variety of its parent. Blue wild indigo 'Purple Smoke' was encountered by chance in the North Carolina Botanical Garden. Its nickname, the 'Purple Smoke', derives from its smoky purple flowers. It is beloved by gardeners for its attraction of pollinators and its resistance to deer and rabbits.
Blue wild indigo
Blue wild indigo
Blue wild indigo is a sun-loving wildflower that blooms in the late spring to early summer. This native perennial is a pollinator magnet, attracting several bees and butterflies to its nectar-rich flowers. Historically, native Americans used the plant's roots as a natural blue dye for textiles and baskets.
Wild indigos 'Grape Taffy'
Wild indigos 'Grape Taffy'
The compact wild indigos 'Grape Taffy', developed by Hans Hansen at Walters Gardens, Inc., is perfect for those who do not have space for much taller wild indigo cultivars. This perennial features deep reddish-purple flowers on stalky stems, which are quite different from the deep blue flowers commonly found in this genus. Wild indigos 'Grape Taffy' are attractive in cottage gardens, prairies, and meadows.
Wild indigos 'Starlite'
Wild indigos 'Starlite'
Wild indigos 'Starlite' is a false indigo cultivar with exquisite violet-lavender buds that blossom into periwinkle blooms with creamy-colored keels. The beautiful nighttime colors give this cultivar its name. This is among the first false indigos to bloom each year, and the blooms last longer than other varieties. The arching branches and exquisite colors make wild indigos 'Starlite' quite attractive to both gardeners and pollinators.
Wild indigos 'Dutch Chocolate'
Wild indigos 'Dutch Chocolate'
Wild indigos 'Dutch Chocolate' is a wild indigo cultivar that was bred from unknown cultivars of Baptisia minor and Baptisia sphaerocarpa. It features pea-shaped flowers that have a unique chocolate-purple color, which is how the cultivar gets its name. Wild indigos 'Dutch Chocolate' is part of the Decadence Series and is noted for its compact habit.
Wild indigos 'Lemon Meringue'
Wild indigos 'Lemon Meringue'
Bred for attractive color and compact growth habit, the wild indigos 'Lemon Meringue' is a part of the Decadence dessert-inspired Baptisia series. Its name stems from its vibrant yellow blooms, reminiscent of lemon meringue. The wild indigos 'Lemon Meringue' has no significant pest or disease issues, making it versatile and easy to grow in beds, borders, and other garden areas.
Wild indigos 'Cherries Jubilee'
Wild indigos 'Cherries Jubilee'
A baptisia or false indigo cultivar named for its small, pea-shaped yellow and red flowers, wild indigos 'Cherries Jubilee' is admired for its compact habit and highly floriferous traits. Blooming in late spring to early summer, the buds start out maroon and then open into their full color. Its foliage is denser and finer than many other baptisia.
Wild indigos 'Pink Truffles'
Wild indigos 'Pink Truffles'
Wild indigos 'Pink Truffles', a type of baptisia or false indigo, is named for its charming, small pink flowers. It is part of a series called Decadence Deluxe, which was designed for a neat, vase-shaped foliage habit and for attractive color. It is a compact baptisia and the only plant in the Decadence Deluxe Series with pink flowers.
Gopherweed
Gopherweed
Gopherweed is a perennial herbaceous plant that features elongated, lance-shaped foliage and erect, stem-topped clusters of vibrant, usually yellow flowers. Adapted to meadow and prairie ecosystems, gopherweed thrives in full sun and well-drained soils, utilizing a robust root system for drought resilience. Its distinct floral spires attract pollinators, playing an integral role in its habitat's ecological community.
Grayhairy wild indigo
Grayhairy wild indigo
Grayhairy wild indigo is a perennial herbaceous plant with a distinctive grayish-green foliage. This hardy species flourishes in well-drained soils under full sun, developing deep root systems that help it withstand drought. During late spring, grayhairy wild indigo's signature pea-like blue flowers emerge, arranged in striking spires that attract pollinators and offer a unique aesthetic to naturalistic gardens.
Catbells
Catbells
Catbells is characterized by its perfoliate leaves, where stems appear to pierce through the leaf center, giving a wraparound effect. This intriguing feature adds to the plant's ornamental value. Its growth pattern is shaped by well-drained soils in open, sunny environments, and this drought-tolerant species produces striking yellow flowers that contribute to its popularity among garden enthusiasts.
Nuttall's wild indigo
Nuttall's wild indigo
Nuttall's wild indigo is characterized by its upright, bushy growth and blue-green foliage. The plant’s striking blue-indigo flowers, arranged on tall spikes, bloom in spring to early summer, resembling pea flowers and adding a vibrant splash to prairies and meadows where it thrives. Adapted to well-drained soils, nuttall's wild indigo's deep root system helps it withstand drought conditions while contributing to its hardiness and long life.
More Popular Genus
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Dracaena
Dracaena are popular house plants that are easy to grow. They can tolerate low-light conditions and require little watering. Their leaves range from variegated to dark green. Their characteristic traits include woody stems that grow slowly but offer a striking appearance for small spaces such as apartments or offices.
Fig trees
Fig trees have been cultivated in many regions for their fruits, particularly the common fig, F. carica. Most of the species have edible fruits, although the common fig is the only one of commercial value. Fig trees are also important food sources for wildlife in the tropics, including monkeys, bats, and insects.
Brambles
Brambles are members of the rose family, and there are hundreds of different types to be found throughout the European countryside. They have been culturally significant for centuries; Christian folklore stories hold that when the devil was thrown from heaven, he landed on a bramble bush. Their vigorous growth habit can tangle into native plants and take over.
Maples
The popular tree family known as maples change the color of their leaves in the fall. Many cultural traditions encourage people to watch the colors change, such as momijigari in Japan. Maples popular options for bonsai art. Alternately, their sap is used to create maple syrup.
Prunus
Prunus is a genus of flowering fruit trees that includes almonds, cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines, and apricots. These are often known as "stone fruits" because their pits are large seeds or "stones." When prunus trees are damaged, they exhibit "gummosis," a condition in which the tree's gum (similar to sap) is secreted to the bark to help heal external wounds.
Nightshades
Nightshades is a large and diverse genus of plants, with more than 1500 different types worldwide. This genus incorporates both important staple food crops like tomato, potato, and eggplant, but also dangerous poisonous plants from the nightshade family. The name was coined by Pliny the Elder almost two thousand years ago.
Roses
Most species of roses are shrubs or climbing plants that have showy flowers and sharp thorns. They are commonly cultivated for cut flowers or as ornamental plants in gardens due to their attractive appearance, pleasant fragrance, and cultural significance in many countries. The rose hips (fruits) can also be used in jams and teas.
Oaks
Oaks are among the world's longest-lived trees, sometimes growing for over 1,000 years! The oldest known oak tree is in the southern United States and is over 1,500 years old. Oaks produce an exceedingly popular type of wood which is used to make different products, from furniture and flooring to wine barrels and even cosmetic creams.
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About
Key Facts
Distribution
How To Care
All Species
More Genus
False Indigo
Baptisia
False Indigo are not members of the same genus as true indigo, which is used to make indigo dye. However, many species of false Indigo are used for indigo dye substitute, which has given them the nickname 'false indigos.' Many false Indigo boast showy purple flowers and are used as ornamentals in gardens and parks.
Lifespan
Perennial
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Key Facts About False Indigo
Feedback
Attributes of False Indigo
Plant Height
91 cm to 1.2 m
Spread
90 cm to 1.2 m
Leaf type
Deciduous
Scientific Classification of False Indigo
Distribution of False Indigo
Feedback
Distribution Map of False Indigo
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
How to Grow and Care for False Indigo
Feedback
False Indigo, a hardy, perennial genus, requires simple, low-maintenance care. These sun-loving plants thrive in well-drained soil and tolerate slight drought. They prefer cool to moderate temperatures. However, they may face challenges like bacterial leaf spot, powdery mildew, and aphid infestation. While they are relatively disease-resistant, poor drainage can lead to crown rot. Seasonally, they require pruning after flowering and before new growth in spring. Minor adjustments to watering may be needed in dry summers or harsh winters.
Exploring the False Indigo Plants
Feedback
8 most common species：
Blue wild indigo
Blue wild indigo is a wildflower native to the Eastern United States. The flowers bloom throughout the spring and resemble pea blossoms, however, they are a lovely blue-purple. The plant juice can actually be used to make a purple dye if true indigo is not available.
White wild indigo
White wild indigo (*Baptisia alba*) is a perennial wildflower that grows best in full sunlight or partial shade. It is naturally found in pine woods, along riverbanks, and forest edges. This plant is a larval host plant for the wild indigo duskywing and Moroccan duskywing butterflies. It is also browsed by rabbits and deer. A variety of birds are attracted to white wild indigo seeds.
Yellow wild indigo
Yellow wild indigo (Baptisia sphaerocarpa) is a herbaceous perennial that will grow from 61 to 91 cm tall. Showy yellow flowers bloom in spring. Pea-shaped blossoms grow on an attractive greenish-yellow stem and give way to seed pods that turn from tan to brown. The highly sought-after seed pods are often used in dried flower arrangements.
Longbract wild indigo
Longbract wild indigo (Baptisia bracteata) is a plant in the pea family (Fabaceae). “Baptisia” means “to dye.” The Latin name comes from the fact that people used the showy flowers of this plant for hundreds of years to add color to their clothing. This species is native to the North American continent.
Show More Species
All Species of False Indigo
Blue wild indigo
White wild indigo
Yellow wild indigo
Longbract wild indigo
Wild Indigo
Wild indigos 'Lunar Eclipse'
Wild indigos 'Pink Lemonade'
Wild indigos 'Solar Flare'
Wild indigos 'Twilite'
Wild indigos 'Vanilla Cream'
Blue wild indigo 'Purple Smoke'
Blue wild indigo
Wild indigos 'Grape Taffy'
Wild indigos 'Starlite'
Wild indigos 'Dutch Chocolate'
Wild indigos 'Lemon Meringue'
Wild indigos 'Cherries Jubilee'
Wild indigos 'Pink Truffles'
Gopherweed
Grayhairy wild indigo
Catbells
Nuttall's wild indigo
More Popular Genus
Feedback
Dracaena
Dracaena are popular house plants that are easy to grow. They can tolerate low-light conditions and require little watering. Their leaves range from variegated to dark green. Their characteristic traits include woody stems that grow slowly but offer a striking appearance for small spaces such as apartments or offices.
Fig trees
Fig trees have been cultivated in many regions for their fruits, particularly the common fig, F. carica. Most of the species have edible fruits, although the common fig is the only one of commercial value. Fig trees are also important food sources for wildlife in the tropics, including monkeys, bats, and insects.
Brambles
Brambles are members of the rose family, and there are hundreds of different types to be found throughout the European countryside. They have been culturally significant for centuries; Christian folklore stories hold that when the devil was thrown from heaven, he landed on a bramble bush. Their vigorous growth habit can tangle into native plants and take over.
Maples
The popular tree family known as maples change the color of their leaves in the fall. Many cultural traditions encourage people to watch the colors change, such as momijigari in Japan. Maples popular options for bonsai art. Alternately, their sap is used to create maple syrup.
Prunus
Prunus is a genus of flowering fruit trees that includes almonds, cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines, and apricots. These are often known as "stone fruits" because their pits are large seeds or "stones." When prunus trees are damaged, they exhibit "gummosis," a condition in which the tree's gum (similar to sap) is secreted to the bark to help heal external wounds.
Nightshades
Nightshades is a large and diverse genus of plants, with more than 1500 different types worldwide. This genus incorporates both important staple food crops like tomato, potato, and eggplant, but also dangerous poisonous plants from the nightshade family. The name was coined by Pliny the Elder almost two thousand years ago.
Roses
Most species of roses are shrubs or climbing plants that have showy flowers and sharp thorns. They are commonly cultivated for cut flowers or as ornamental plants in gardens due to their attractive appearance, pleasant fragrance, and cultural significance in many countries. The rose hips (fruits) can also be used in jams and teas.
Oaks
Oaks are among the world's longest-lived trees, sometimes growing for over 1,000 years! The oldest known oak tree is in the southern United States and is over 1,500 years old. Oaks produce an exceedingly popular type of wood which is used to make different products, from furniture and flooring to wine barrels and even cosmetic creams.
Your Ultimate Guide to Plants
Identify grow and nurture the better way!
17,000 local species +400,000 global species studied
Nearly 5 years of research
80+ scholars in botany and gardening
Continue reading in our app - it's better
A database of 400000+ plants
unlimited guides at your fingertips...
unlimited guides at your fingertips...
