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

Chinese indigo

Indigofera decora f. alba

Chinese indigo (Indigofera decora f. alba) is a small shrub with white flowers and bright green leaves. Native to China, this species requires warm climates and plenty of sun or light shade. It can reach up to 1.5 meters in height and grows well in well-drained soil. The white flowers bloom throughout the summer months and attract butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. The leaves are a wonderful source of food for caterpillars. Chinese indigo is a great choice for attracting wildlife to your garden and it's also an excellent plant for providing colour and interest in the garden.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Cutting,Layering Propagation,Division

Hardiness Zone:

5 - 8

Flowers:

White Flowers

Sun:

Full sun

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

silver,indigo,white

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Chinese indigo plants should be watered when the soil appears dry to the touch. Water thoroughly, up to 1-2 inches deep, and allow the soil to dry out somewhat between waterings. Depending on location, weather, and season, Chinese indigo may need to be watered every 4-7 days. In the summertime, it may need to be watered more often, especially during hot, dry spells.

sunlight

Chinese indigo, also known as Indigofera decora f. alba, is an ornamental shrub that grows best with full sunlight throughout the day. While Chinese indigo can tolerate some shade, it will flower and produce more vibrant foliage when grown in direct sunlight. When grown outdoors, the shrub should be placed in an area with at least 6 hours of full sunlight per day. When growing Chinese indigo indoors, it should be placed near a bright window to give it adequate sunlight. If the plant does not receive enough light, it may become weak, leggy, and unable to flower as well.

pruning

Chinese indigo plants should be pruned to keep them full, bloom more, and encourage new growth. Pruning should be done at the end of winter or early spring when most of the plants growth has passed. Start by removing any dead or diseased branches with sharp, sterilized pruning shears. Next, prune out crossing or weak branches that don’t look strong and healthy. Also prune down branches that are too lengthy or growing in the wrong direction. Finally, thin out the plant lightly so that it will be more bushy and dense. Take care not to prune too much since the plant needs some foliage to stay healthy and provide shade for itself.

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 late spring, usually in May or June.

Starts Flowering

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

Hardiness Map