False Indigo

Baptisia australis

False Indigo is a perennial, hardy in USDA zones 3-9, that matures to about 3-4 ft × 3-4 ft. It does best in full sun and part shade with low water needs in well-drained and occasionally-wet soil. Expect blue, yellow and purple blooms in spring and summer. It attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds, stands up well to deer, drought and dry soil.

USDA zones: 3-9
Sun: Full sun, Part shade
Water: Low
Mature size: 3-4 ft × 3-4 ft
Maintenance: Low
Soil: Well-drained, Occasionally-wet
Bloom color: Blue, Yellow, Purple, White
Bloom season: Spring, Summer
Attracts: Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Pollinators
Tough against: Deer, Drought, Dry soil, Erosion, Fire, Pests, Poor soil, Rabbits
Toxic to: People
Native to: Eastern United States

Freeze survival

Will it survive your winters?

We score False Indigo’s freeze-trouble range against the real coldest nights your area has recorded.

Powered by ~35 years of daily lows from the nearest NOAA weather station. A risk read, not a guarantee — a sheltered spot or mature plant beats the odds.