Indigo (Indigofera tinctoria) forms a 2 to 3-foot shrub with pinkish pea-type blossoms and short woody pods. The packet holds 25 seeds. While in flower, harvested leaves produce a blue dye.
Sow 1/4 inch deep. Sprouts in 14-60 days with low, irregular germination; soak seed 24 hours and plant at once. Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost at 70-75°F soil in larger or fiber pots to protect the taproot, and move out with two sets of true leaves, spacing 24-36 inches. Give full sun and average to fertile, moist but well-drained soil.
