1 named cultivar
The Story
Plant Bio
Indigofera kirilowii, Kirilow's indigo, is a low suckering deciduous shrub from China, Korea and Japan, two to three feet high and spreading three to four feet. Bright green pinnate leaves carry seven to eleven rounded leaflets, and short upright spikes of small rose-pink pea flowers open through summer.
It spreads by underground suckers into a low colony, which makes it a genuinely useful flowering groundcover for a dry sunny bank where mowing is impractical. As a legume it fixes its own nitrogen and needs no feeding. It flowers on new wood, so it can be cut to the ground each spring and still bloom the same summer.
Uses & Benefits:
Essentials
At a Glance
Plant Type
Shrub
Height
30 inches
Width
48 inches
Light
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Zones
5, 6, 7, 8
Water
Low
Humidity
Low
Lifespan
Perennial
Native To
China, Korea and Japan
Toxicity
Non-toxic
Marketplace
Where to Buy
Shipping costs Year-round shipping Free shipping
Planting
How to Grow
- Plant in full sun in any freely drained soil.
- Use it on banks and slopes where it can run.
- Do not feed; it fixes its own nitrogen.
- Cut back hard in early spring if it looks tired.
- Water while establishing, then rarely.
- Dig out suckers at the edge to contain it.
Pro Tip
It flowers on new wood, so cutting the whole colony to the ground in spring costs nothing and refreshes it completely.
Keep It Thriving
Care Guide
Do
- Use it on a dry sunny bank ⛰️
- Cut it back hard in spring ✂️
- Leave it unfed 🚫
- Dig suckers to contain the edge 🚧
Don't
- Feed or over-water it ❌
- Plant it in a tidy small border ❌
- Prune it in autumn ❌
Seasonal Care Calendar
| Task | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enjoy | ||||||||||||
| Prune |
Watch Out For
Pests & Diseases
Common Pests
Common Diseases
In the Garden
Landscape Uses & Companions
Landscape Uses
Companion Plants
Multiply
Propagation Methods
Good to Know
Common Questions
Indigo questions
What zones can Indigo grow in?
Indigo is hardy in USDA Zones 5–8. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.
Is Indigo deer resistant?
Yes — Indigo is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.
When does Indigo bloom?
Indigo typically blooms in summer through late summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.
Does Indigo need full sun?
Indigo does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.
Is Indigo drought tolerant?
Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Indigo handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.
More Indigofera to compare
Christo Indigo
Indigofera kirilowii 'Christo'
Rose Carpet Indigo
Indigofera pseudotinctoria 'Rose Carpet'
Chinese Indigo
Indigofera pseudotinctoria
Himalayan Indigo
Indigofera heterantha
Diels' Indigo
Indigofera dielsiana
Keep exploring
Explore the genus
Hardy in your zone?
Grow Indigo with confidence
See it in a design of your actual yard, get zone-matched care reminders, and track it season by season in your garden journal.