Species Chinese indigo
small whitish-purple flowers clustered in elongated, upright spikes, reddish-green stems, and green leaves

Chinese indigo

Indigofera amblyantha

Chinese indigo (Indigofera amblyantha) is a species of Indigofera, a plant in the Fabaceae family. It is native to Northern China from Gansu to Hebei and North countries of Korea. It is an annual or biennial herb which is up to 1.5 m tall with many branches. Its leaves are compound, alternate, and pinnately trifoliolate. The flowers of Chinese indigo are bright pink, and the fruit is a long pod with 12-20 seeds. It is sometimes cultivated as a leaf vegetable, picked young and eaten raw. The plant also has medicinal properties; it has been used as a diuretic, to relieve headaches, and to treat eye diseases.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Cutting,Layering Propagation,Division

Hardiness Zone:

6 - 8

Flowers:

Lilac to rose to pink Flowers

Sun:

Full sun

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,indigo

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Chinese indigo should be watered weekly, using enough water to moisten the soil around the base of the plant, but avoid drenching it. During the times of active growth, it is important to ensure that the soil remains slightly moist. During the winter months, it should be watered less frequently. It is best to water these plants in the early morning or late afternoon to maintain their health and prevent fungal infections.

sunlight

Chinese indigo (Indigofera amblyantha) grows best in full sun. During the peak of summer, this plant species should receive 8-10 hours of direct sunlight on a daily basis. In winter, however, the amount of sunlight that Chinese indigo receives should be reduced to about 6-8 hours per day. It is important to ensure that the sun's rays strike the foliage directly, otherwise the Chinese indigo won't receive enough intensity to thrive. During periods of extended overcast weather, supplemental lighting may be needed to ensure the plant gets the sunlight it requires.

pruning

Chinese indigo (Indigofera amblyantha) should be pruned in late winter or early spring before new growth appears. Pruning should be light, as this species tends to respond with more vigorous growth following pruning. To maintain an attractive shape, cut back up to half of the previous year’s growth, though individual circumstances may vary. Light shaping may also be done, but avoid shearing or removing too many branches at once. Regular pruning is recommended to keep the plant looking its best and control its size.

Season

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

Chinese indigo typically starts flowering in April.

Hardiness Map