It develops black seed pods that can be left on the plant for winter interest.
False indigo is generally planted in spring after the danger of frost has passed.
All parts of this plant are mildly toxic to humans and animals.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
If planting seeds in spring, ensure they have been cold-stratified to spur sprouting.
If planted by seed in the fall, the cold weather triggers germination and growth in the spring.
It does not do well as an indoor plant.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
It can grow in containers but is not the best candidate for it.
False indigo requires a deep container for its long taproot.
Its long taproot also restricts it from being disturbed for repotting.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
If planting seeds, sow them about 1/4 inch deep, lightly covering them with soil.
Space them approximately 2 to 3 inches apart to allow for growth.
If the plant gets leggy, giving it a large hoop support can help keep it upright.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Full sun also preventsfungal diseases.
Soil
False indigo prefers moderately well-draining soils but tolerates dry soils once well-established.
It is not particular aboutsoil pHbut does best in slightly acidic soil to neutral (5.0-6.8).
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Once established,Baptisiais relatively drought-tolerant.
This is a native wildflower, and in most regions, it does fine with whatever rainfall nature provides.
It does equally well in dry and humid climates, provided it gets adequate soil moisture.
Newer hybrid forms of Baptisia have yellow and purple flowers.
On the plus side, these are very long-lived plants that may outlive their owners.
Because false indigo plants have longtaproots, they are difficult to divide but grow well from stem cuttings.
False indigo seeds have a hard outer coating, andscarificationwill improve germination.
To improve germination success, soak the seeds in hot water for at least eight hours before scarifying them.
The plants take three to four years to develop the size required for meaningful blooms.
They spread slowly, and a mature clump looks like a unique shrub in the landscape.
Most people propagate these plants through stem cuttings for faster results.
Here’s how to sow seeds:
Overwintering
These plants do not require a winterizing routine.
Be sure to provide good air circulation around yourBaptisiaplants.
Weevils have been known to eatBaptisiaseeds, but this is a problem only if yousave the seedsto plant.
Butterfly larvae may feed on the plant foliage but not enough to harm the plant.
Deer, rabbits, and groundhogs rarely bother it.
Even a young nursery plant will take at least a year to establish before you roll seeing it bloom.
Bloom Months
Wild indigo typically blooms from April to June.
How Long Does False Indigo Bloom?
False indigo blooms usually last three to six weeks.
They bloom occasionally and will not rebloom until the next growing season.
These plants are long-lived, living decades, and are reliable yearly rebloomers.
What Do False Indigo Flowers Look and Smell Like?
Deep blue or indigo-colored is the most common, giving its common name.
Each flower is about 1 inch, shaped like sweet-pea flowers.
The flowers have no discernible fragrance.
How to Encourage More Blooms
False indigo needs full sun to promote full blooms.
A plant growing in shady conditions may experience reduced blooming.
Remove or deeply prune nearby trees and shrubs that shade the plant to increase blooming.
you’re free to prevent this by giving your false indigo a modest shearing after flowering.
Here are a couple of issues you might encounter with false indigo.
Sometimes, pruning surrounding trees can increase the amount of sun and prevent this flopping.
A large segmented hoop support can also help keep the stems upright.
Soil amendments around the plant can improve the soil’s drainage.
Some earthmoving to redirect water can also help eliminate puddling that causes root rot.
Badly affected plants are not salvageable and will need to be removed.
False indigo is a native North American plant, so it’s not considered invasive.
However, it can self-seed and slowly spread to cover an area.
False Indigo (Baptisia australis) is a native wildflower.
True indigo was extremely expensive, andBaptisia australismade a passably good substituteand it grew like a weed.
They complement the color and texture ofBaptisia.
False indigo brings out the chartreuse ofLadys Mantle.
This plant is also an excellent addition to wildlife gardens, as it hosts several species of butterflies.
North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension.
University of Illinois Chicago.
