Indigofera species - Plant
Description for Indigofera species
Grow in average, medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun. Tolerates alkaline soils and some drought. Intolerant of the hot and humid summers of the deep South. Plants may suffer some tip damage or die to the ground in harsh winters but should come back nicely.
It is a dense, suckering shrub or subshrub Features dense, axillary racemes of pink, pea-like flowers which bloom heavily in June and July and sometimes continue intermittently to September. Compound pinnate leaves (each with 7 to 11 rounded leaflets) are bright green.
| Common name | Flower colours | Bloom time | Height | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indigo | Pinkish White | June to July | 2 to 3 feet | Easy to grow |
Planting and care
Prepare a garden bed by mixing sandy, loamy soil mix into the topsoil of the garden. Indigo plants thrives in slightly alkaline soil but can also tolerate neutral or slightly acidic soils. Soil must be well-drained.
| Sunlight | Soil | Water | Temperature | Fertilizer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full sun | Well-drained soil | Medium | 70 to 80 degrees F | Apply any organic fertilizer |
Caring for Indigofera species
- Plant indigo plants 4 to 5 feet apart in the early evening and water the soil until thoroughly moist.
- Water once each day for the first two weeks until the plants become established.
- Do not fertilize indigo plants. As a legume, indigo plants can absorb nitrogen from the air and grow well in nutrient-deficient soil.
Typical uses of Indigofera species
Special features: Mixed borders or foundation plantings. Also effective as part of a naturalized planting.
Culinary use: NA
Ornamental use: The plant is used for an ornamental purpose
Medicinal use: Unverified information- In Brazil, West Indian Indigo is one of the reputed remedies for snake bites, and in the United States it is often applied to the stings of bees and other insects. In Mexico, the leaves as a cataplasm or in decoction are applied to the forehead of children with fever and to any painful area. The seeds in powder form are a cure for ulcers.
References
- http://homeguides.sfgate.com/grow-indigofera-tinctoria-74599.html
- http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=d530
- http://www.flowersofindia.net/risearch/search.php?query=Indigofera+species&stpos=0&stype=AND
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