False indigo (Baptisia australis)
False indigo (Baptisia australis) is a perennial plant that can grow 50cm – 1.5m tall and 50cm – 1.5m wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant False indigo (Baptisia australis).
This plant has several common names including: false indigo, bastard lupine, blue false indigo, false lupine, golden indigo, indigo weed or tall false indigo.
This is a deciduous plant that takes 2-5 years to reach full maturity.
In this article
Plant profile
Common name: false indigo, bastard lupine, blue false indigo, false lupine, golden indigo, indigo weed, tall false indigo
Scientific name: Baptisia australis
Plant type: Perennials
Habit: Clump-forming
Height: 50cm – 1.5m
Spread: 50cm – 1.5m
Foliage: Deciduous
Sunlight: Full Sun
Soil: Loam, Sand
Moisture: Well drained
Garden type: Informal Garden, Wildflower meadow, Wildlife Gardens
Planting type: Cut Flowers, Flower borders and bedding, Low Maintenance
Other characteristics: Drought resistant, RHS Award of Garden Merit
Seasonal colors
| Season | Stem | Foliage | Flower | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | ||||
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
How to plant False indigo (Baptisia australis) – peganum from Small Dole, England, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Perennial plants are one of the largest groups of plants.
They offer color, shape, fragrance and seasonal textures. The variety is such that there are plants to suit all sizes and styles of garden.
Traditionally, perennials are grown in borders, using a wall or hedge as a backdrop to bring out all their splendor during summer.
But since most gardens are not large enough for long borders dedicated exclusively to perennials, they are usually planted in mixed borders and beds, along with shrubs, annuals, biennials, and bulbs that extend the season of interest.
Other types of Baptisia to consider:
See all Baptisia
How to plant
In this section we will learn how to plant False indigo (Baptisia australis), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.
Soil
False indigo (Baptisia australis) is a plant that prefers to grow in loam or sand.
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The loam soil is dark, rich in organic matter but balanced in minerals. It offers the best of all worlds, retaining enough water for the plants, but allowing excess moisture to drain away. This is the most desired type of garden soil, perfect for most plants.
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Sandy soil is light, porous and very easy to drain. It is a soil poor in organic matter and nutrients. It is composed of relatively large mineral particles that allow water to drain quickly.
As for pH, it is a plant that grows ideally in soils with pH acid or neutral.
Regarding drainage, Baptisia australis likes to grow in well drained soil.
Sunlight
False indigo (Baptisia australis) should be grown in full sun places.
Cultivation profiles – Growing False indigo (Baptisia australis) – Denis.prévôt, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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