Species false indigo
White-yellow-green flowers and green leaves on a green stem branches.

false indigo

Baptisia bracteata

False Indigo (Baptisia bracteata) is an amazing plant species that is a joy to behold. This perennial shrub has striking deep blue or purple flowers and fern-like grey-green foliage that grows in abundance each year. Typically flowering in the spring months, False Indigo is highly drought tolerant, making it perfect for dry gardens. Not only is it a vivid presence in any landscape, False Indigo also produces attractive seedpods, some of which the plant retains in winter, beautifully decorating the garden when most other plants are hidden away. For those looking to make a statement in their garden with a resilient and aesthetically pleasing plant species, False Indigo should be their number one choice.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Minimum

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Root Division,Cutting,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

3 - 9

Flowers:

Creamy white Flowers

Sun:

Full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

False indigo is a drought-tolerant plant, so it prefers to receive water more deeply and less often. During the summer months, water false indigo deeply a few times a week. To water deeply, water slowly around the base of the plant until the top several inches of soil is moist. During the winter months, water less often but give a thorough watering. This will depend on your climate, so water when the surface of the soil is dry to the touch. Make sure not to overwater false indigo, as this can lead to root rot.

sunlight

False Indigo grows best in full sun, although it will tolerate partial shade. For optimum growth, full sunlight is recommended for at least 6 hours per day when the plant is planted in mid-spring. The best time to plant False Indigo is in late autumn when days are cooler and the soil has the chance to absorb more moisture. During summer months, False Indigo may require additional watering beyond the normal summer rainfall.

pruning

False indigo (Baptisia bracteata) should be pruned in late winter to early spring, just before the plant begins to bud. Pruning should be minimal; remove dead, damaged, and diseased stems with sharp pruning shears. Any unnecessary crossing branches should also be trimmed back. Do not over-prune the plant as it could limit flowering and weaken the plant.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

False indigo typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Starts Flowering

False indigo typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Hardiness Map