Species yellow wild indigo
Vibrant yellow-green flowers and green leaves on lime-green stems.

yellow wild indigo

Baptisia sphaerocarpa

The Yellow Wild Indigo (Baptisia sphaerocarpa) is truly an amazing species of plant! This North American wildflower is a large and showy perennial that creates a striking, sunny display in any garden. Its flowers form in clusters of bright yellow, along with attractive segmented pods with up to a dozen individual seeds. This hardy species needs little maintenance and tolerates drought and a variety of soils. It is also rich in beneficial pollinator attractants and is adapted to grow in challenging and dry conditions. The Yellow Wild Indigo is sure to bring a unique touch of eye-catching colour to any outdoor space!

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Minimum

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Root Cutting,Division

Hardiness Zone:

5 - 8

Flowers:

Yellow Flowers

Sun:

Full sun,part shade

Fruits:

yellow,brown,indigo Fruits Ready In Fall

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Thorny:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Yellow wild indigo should be watered once every week or every other week in the spring and summer. In the Autumn, water once every 2 to 3 weeks. In the winter, water sparingly, only every 4 to 6 weeks. The soil should be kept moist but not wet (never soggy around the roots). It is important to water deeply, for the entire root system to be reached. Apply 1-2 inches of water, or enough water to moisten the soil to a depth of 3-4 inches. It's also recommended to fertilize the yellow wild indigo with a light fertilizer every 3 to 4 weeks during the spring and summer. Avoid fertilizing during the fall and winter, when the plant’s growth is beginning to slow.

sunlight

Yellow wild indigo prefers full sunlight and thrives best in a sunny location that offers 8-10 hours of direct sunlight each day. The plant also tolerates some shade, but flowering will be diminished. When given enough light, the plant will burst into bright yellow clusters of blooms from late spring through summer.

pruning

For Yellow Wild Indigo (Baptisia sphaerocarpa), pruning should be done in late winter or early spring. Pruning should be done sparingly, removing dead, damaged, or diseased branches from the outer part of the plant. These cuts should leave the plant’s natural shape intact. A light pruning, done in small amounts at a time, is best to maintain both the overall shape and health of the plant.

Season

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

Harvesting of Baptisia sphaerocarpa, or yellow wild indigo, typically begins in late summer, usually in August or September.

Starts Flowering

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

Starts Flowering

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

Harvest Fruit

Harvesting of Baptisia sphaerocarpa, or yellow wild indigo, typically begins in late summer, usually in August or September.

Hardiness Map