Inspect each seed for small holes before use. They can be saved and planted later, but they become less viable with time. To release the seeds, break open the hard outer shell and you should see a few seeds inside the pod.įor the highest chance of germination, it’s best to plant the seeds immediately after harvesting. Once they have turned brown to black, they should be ready to twist off the plant. Propagating From Seed Seed pods start to show up in early to mid-summer, then they turn black in color.Īt the end of the flowering season, around early to mid-summer, you should see seed pods starting to form and harden. Propagating by division is only recommended after the plant has been growing for a few years and should only be done when absolutely necessary, as the long taproots do not like to be disturbed. Seed germination rates are not particularly high, and propagating from cuttings, although requiring more equipment, usually produces more reliable results. Propagationīaptisia is most often propagated from seed, but can also be propagated from cuttings or by division. Essentially, there are few places around the world where this plant is not beloved. This is a big award for this popular blue perennial flower. It also won the award for Perennial Plant of the Year in 2010, awarded by the Perennial Plant Association.

It has even won the prestigious Royal Horticultural Society’s Award Of Garden Merit, indicating its appreciation on continents far from its native area. It is also incredibly easy to grow and establishes itself well in most parts of the United States.īaptisia australis has also been introduced to other parts of the world and can be found growing in many European gardens. It is one of only a few native blue flowers that have the true blue color not often seen in nature. False Indigo is a common garden plant in the US, found in nurseries across the country. However, this native plant is not restricted to the wilderness, nor its native habitat. They are usually situated around woodlands or along streams and in meadows. Wild Baptisia australis can be found in the Midwest of the United States today. Cultivation This plant can be found wild or in gardens throughout the US and Europe. Instead, it is now valued for its ornamental qualities and ability to grow well in a wide range of conditions with little to no maintenance. Its time as a global economically important crop may have been short-lived, but the plant’s popularity has not waned. It became an essential crop and was even exported to other parts of the world until farmers began growing true Indigo in North American territory.

However, demand far exceeded supply, and the settlers began using Baptisia as a replacement.Īlthough the color was not as intense or vibrant as true Indigo, it did provide the blue hue in fashion in the 1700s. This plant originated in the West Indies and was shipped around the world in the 18 th century. At the time, indigo pigments from the plant Indigofera tinctoria were incredibly popular. The long taproots were also harvested to make natural medicines to treat pain and nausea, and the hardened seed pods typical of the legume family were believed to be used as children’s rattles.īritish settlers took notice of the Native American’s use of Baptisia as a blue dye. Strong pigments were extracted from the plant and used to color different materials. Native to North America and commonly found in the central or eastern parts of the United States, Blue False Indigo was used by Native Americans for hundreds of years. Plant History Native Americans used Baptisia australis for making blue dye.

An indigo rain