True Indigo
Indigofera tinctoria
- Native to:
- Angola, Bangladesh, Botswana, Burkina, Eswatini, Ghana, India, Laccadive Is., Malawi, Maldives, Mexico, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nicobar Is., Pakistan, Peru, Senegal, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Dinesh Valke (www.inaturalist.org)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Indigofera
- Species:
- Indigofera tinctoria
- USDA Symbol:
- INTI
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Subshrub
- Height:
- 200 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- pink, purple
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Metephestia simplicula
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- prefers full sun and warm climates
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Hard seed coat requires scarification (mechanical or hot water treatment) for best germination rates. Sow in warm conditions.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI