Species Dyer's woad
Dyer's woad (Isatis tinctoria); clusters of small and bright yellow flowers with yellow stamens, and upright, yellow-green stems

Dyer's woad

Isatis tinctoria

Dyer's woad (Isatis tinctoria) is an invasive Eurasian plant species with bright yellow flowers and somewhat woody stems. It's been used for centuries to make blue-green dye for fabric and clothing, and is found in disturbed areas such as roadsides, gardens, and waste areas. Dyer's woad adapts easily to various types of soil and prefers full sun, although it will tolerate moderate shade. As an invasive, it can crowd out native plants and severely diminish biodiversity, so it should be carefully controlled and monitored.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Average

Hardiness Zone:

4 - 8

Flowers:

Yellow Flowers

Sun:

Full sun

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Moderate

Poisonous To Humans:

Yes

Poisonous To Pets:

Yes

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Invasive:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Dyer’s Woad is a moderately drought-resistant plant that requires regular watering for best results. In well-draining soil, water the plant deeply once a week in warm weather and every 2 weeks in cooler weather. In summer, water more frequently if the leaves begin to wilt. During the winter, allow the top 2 inches of the soil to completely dry out between waterings.

sunlight

Dyer's Woad (Isatis tinctoria) needs full sun for at least 6 - 8 hours a day to grow and flower. It prefers growing in well-drained, fertile soil in a sheltered location with some sunlight in the morning and evening. It tolerates partial shade but will not flower as much and could become leggy.

pruning

Dyer's woad (Isatis tinctoria) should be lightly pruned in late spring and mid-summer. Pruning should be done just after flowering to encourage bushy growth and remove any dead or damaged branches. Generally pruning should remove no more than 1-third of the plant's foliage. This will ensure that new growth is encouraged. Make sure to prune branches close to whole buds to encourage new growth in the desired shape.

Season

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

Hardiness Map

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