Baptisia australis aka Blue False Indigo

Taxonomy

Baptisia australis, also known as blue wild indigo or blue false indigo, is a perennial herb in the Fabaceae family. It is native to central eastern North America, particularly the Midwest region. This herbaceous perennial has upright stems with blue-green foliage arranged in threes. In spring, it produces blue-purple flowers in erect racemes atop tall flower spikes. The flowers are followed by black seed pods, which can be used in dried flower arrangements. Despite its beauty, this plant faces challenges in its native areas due to parasitic weevils that reduce its seed production. However, it has been introduced beyond its natural range. Baptisia australis can be found growing wild in woodland borders, along streams, and in open meadows. It is a low-toxicity plant for humans. The genus name, Baptisia, derives from the Greek word bapto, meaning "to dye," while the specific epithet, australis, refers to its southern distribution.

Common names

Blue False Indigo, Blue Wild Indigo, Baptisia

How to care for Blue False Indigo

Difficulty

Blue False Indigo is a low-maintenance plant that requires minimal attention, making it an excellent choice for beginners.

Water

Blue False Indigo should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Blue False Indigo loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Blue False Indigo requires abundant, bright and direct light. Placing it less than one foot from a window is the best way to make sure the plant receives enough light to survive and thrive. Depending on your region, however, the current weather can affect the placement of the plant in your home. For example, in some areas the sun may be too direct and intense, so it's best to place it farther away from the window. You may also need to adjust your placement according to the season as the sunlight can change intensity over the course of the year. If you live in a region with significant temperature fluctuations, such as a desert, you may need to place the plant a bit farther away from the window to avoid extreme heat or cold. With some care and attention, your Blue False Indigo will be sure to bring you many years of beauty and enjoyment.

Toxicity

Blue False Indigo is poisonous if ingested. We suggest keeping this plant out of reach if you have children, cats, or dogs in the home.

Fertilizer

The Blue False Indigo should be transferred to a new pot once it has increased in size two-fold, or on an annual basis, whichever occurs earlier. Replacing the soil with fresh potting soil containing all the necessary nutrients, is sufficient enough to support the growth of the plant, thus avoiding the need to use fertilizer. It's important to note that plants derive their energy from the sun and not fertilizer.

Growth-pattern

New growth will sprout from the top of the plant as it grows upwards.

Region of origin

Blue False Indigo’s native range is Eastern and Central N. America - Pennsylvania to Georgia, west to Texas, Nebraska and Indiana.


More info:
Wikipedia