Wild Indigo
Amorpha canescens
A unique prairie native with silvery-gray foliage and distinctive deep purple flower spikes topped with bright orange stamens, creating an unusual and striking garden display. This extremely drought-tolerant legume develops a deep taproot and becomes virtually maintenance-free once established, making it perfect for challenging sites.
Harvest
Not applicabled
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun to partial shade
Zones
2–9
USDA hardiness
Height
1-3 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Wild Indigo in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 native-wildflower →Zone Map
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Wild Indigo · Zones 2–9
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
Complete Growing Guide
Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Occasionally Dry. Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 2 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 6 in.. Spacing: 6-feet-12 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Low. Propagation: Root Cutting, Seed, Stem Cutting. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
The legumes are small, hairy pods that turn from green to dark brown as they mature. Fruit does not grow in abundance.
Color: Brown/Copper, Green. Type: Legume. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.
Garden value: Showy
Bloom time: Fall, Summer
Edibility: Dried leaves make a yellow-colored tea.
History & Origin
Origin: North America
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Drought, Poor Soil
- +Attracts: Attractive Flowers, Attracts Pollinators, Wildlife Food Source
- +Wildlife value: Attracts birds and butterflies. A valuable plant for native bees. Deer and other mammals will browse the plant.
- +Edible: Dried leaves make a yellow-colored tea.
- +Low maintenance
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Purple Coneflower
Both are native prairie plants with similar soil and water requirements, attract beneficial pollinators
Black-Eyed Susan
Compatible native wildflower that blooms at different times, extending pollinator season
Little Bluestem Grass
Native prairie grass that provides structural support and creates natural ecosystem balance
Wild Bergamot
Native companion that attracts beneficial insects and has complementary root depth
Prairie Dropseed
Native grass that helps prevent soil erosion and doesn't compete for nutrients
Butterfly Weed
Both support native pollinators and have similar drought tolerance once established
Nodding Onion
Native allium that naturally repels pests while attracting pollinators
Leadplant
Fellow nitrogen-fixing legume that creates beneficial soil conditions
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone toxin that inhibits growth of most legumes including Wild Indigo
Kentucky Bluegrass
Aggressive non-native grass that competes heavily for water and nutrients
Crown Vetch
Invasive legume that can outcompete and smother native Wild Indigo
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Excellent disease resistance, very hardy
Common Pests
Few pest problems, occasionally aphids
Diseases
Rarely affected by diseases