Also known as Indigo · 95 gardener saves
Indigofera: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Indigofera, the genus most gardeners know as indigo. We track 5 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 5 most-saved Indigofera varieties
Of 5 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedChristo Indigo
Indigofera kirilowii 'Christo'
#2 most savedRose Carpet Indigo
Indigofera pseudotinctoria 'Rose Carpet'
#3 most savedChinese Indigo
Indigofera pseudotinctoria
Diels' Indigo
Indigofera dielsiana
Himalayan Indigo
Indigofera heterantha
How to grow Indigofera
What the Indigofera varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 5 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Indigofera year
- MulchMarch100% of varieties
Apply 2-3 inches of organic mulch around the base in spring.
- PruneFebruary100% of varieties
Cut back hard (to 6-12 inches) in late winter/early spring to encourage vigorous new growth.
- PlantMarch, April, September and October40% of varieties
Transplant or plant new specimens in spring or early fall.
- PropagateMay and June40% of varieties
Propagate new plants using softwood cuttings
- Spring CleanupFebruary40% of varieties
Remove any dead or damaged stems before new growth begins
Do
- Water deeply during dry spells 🌱
- Prune after flowering to shape plant
- Apply balanced fertilizer in spring
- Prune after flowering to maintain shape
- Apply fertilizer in spring
Avoid
- Overwater, which can cause root rot ❌
- Neglect pruning, leading to leggy growth
- Use chemical pesticides unnecessarily
- Overwater in winter ❌
What goes wrong with Indigofera
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Scale insects | Bumps on stems | Use horticultural oil |
| Spider mites | Fine webbing and speckled leaves | Increase humidity and apply neem oil |
| Root rot | Wilting and browning at base | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
Making more Indigofera
Cuttings
- Take semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer.
- Dip in rooting hormone and plant in moist soil.
- Keep humidity high for 4 weeks.
Seed
- Tuck seeds into moist soil in early spring.
- Maintain consistent moisture for 6 weeks.
- Transplant seedlings when strong.
Indigofera questions
How many types of Indigofera are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 5 distinct Indigofera varieties. The most popular — ranked by 95 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Indigofera grow in?
Across its varieties, Indigofera covers USDA Zones 5–9. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Indigofera bloom?
Most Indigofera varieties bloom in mid-summer, late spring, summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Indigofera should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Indigofera shows up in
By hardiness zone
Design with Indigofera in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
