Pot Size: 2 quarts
Native Status: Non-Native
Description: True indigo is a perennial shrub in the bean family (Fabaceae) native to Africa, Asia, Mexico, and South America. It has been used to make a blue dye in the past and is still available as a natural dye today, rather than a synthetic. The plant will grow 2 to 3 feet tall and wide and does well in moist well-drained fertile soils with a pH 6 to 7. As with all plants in the bean family, it fixes nitrogen in the soil. It will tolerate full to partial sun conditions but does appreciate some afternoon shade in hot climates.
Light Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade Drought Tolerant: Moderately drought tolerant
Soil Moisture: Medium - Moist Salt Tolerant: No
Mature Height: 2 – 3 ft Deer Resistant: Not favored by deer
Mature Width: 2 – 3 ft
Bloom Color/Bloom Time: Pink to violet blooms from July through August.
Historical Uses: Dye is obtained from the processing of the plant's leaves. They are soaked in water and fermented in order to convert the glycoside indican naturally present in the plant to the blue dye indigotin. The precipitate from the fermented leaf solution is mixed with a strong base such as lye. It was a significant cash crop grown on southern plantations by enslaved people who were specifically sought out for their skill and knowledge of planting, cultivating, harvesting, and processing indigo. Was historically used as an eye shadow cosmetic and a hair dye, sometimes in conjunction with henna. It can also function as an insect repellant, with documented activity against mosquito larvae.
Wildlife Value: Pollinator plant that attracts bees and butterflies.
👉 For more information visit NC Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Pot Size: 2 quarts
Native Status: Non-Native
Description: True indigo is a perennial shrub in the bean family (Fabaceae) native to Africa, Asia, Mexico, and South America. It has been used to make a blue dye in the past and is still available as a natural dye today, rather than a synthetic. The plant will grow 2 to 3 feet tall and wide and does well in moist well-drained fertile soils with a pH 6 to 7. As with all plants in the bean family, it fixes nitrogen in the soil. It will tolerate full to partial sun conditions but does appreciate some afternoon shade in hot climates.
Light Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade Drought Tolerant: Moderately drought tolerant
Soil Moisture: Medium - Moist Salt Tolerant: No
Mature Height: 2 – 3 ft Deer Resistant: Not favored by deer
Mature Width: 2 – 3 ft
Bloom Color/Bloom Time: Pink to violet blooms from July through August.
Historical Uses: Dye is obtained from the processing of the plant's leaves. They are soaked in water and fermented in order to convert the glycoside indican naturally present in the plant to the blue dye indigotin. The precipitate from the fermented leaf solution is mixed with a strong base such as lye. It was a significant cash crop grown on southern plantations by enslaved people who were specifically sought out for their skill and knowledge of planting, cultivating, harvesting, and processing indigo. Was historically used as an eye shadow cosmetic and a hair dye, sometimes in conjunction with henna. It can also function as an insect repellant, with documented activity against mosquito larvae.
Wildlife Value: Pollinator plant that attracts bees and butterflies.
👉 For more information visit NC Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
The information provided here is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Medicinal plants can have serious side effects and interactions with medications. Consult your healthcare provider before using any herbal remedies, as you are responsible for your own health decisions.
Photo Credits:
1 - Indigofera tinctoria- flowers Himanshu Sarpotdar CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
2 -
