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White Wild Indigo — Baptisia alba
Bees
Butterflies
Naturalized Native

White Wild Indigo

Baptisia alba

Perennial

White Wild Indigo

Baptisia alba

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Growing Conditions

Light Light Full Sun
Water Water Dry – Medium
Soil Soil Clay
Size Size 2-4'
Bloom Bloom White, May–Jul

Why Grow It

Deer Resistant Great for gardens without fencing
Drought Tolerant Thrives with little water once established
Caterpillar Host Feeds caterpillars of native moths & butterflies

Did You Know?

White Wild Indigo is a classic 'clay buster' — its powerful roots can penetrate and break up the toughest clay soils, improving drainage for surrounding plants.
The plant spends its first few years building an enormous root system underground before producing significant top growth — patience is rewarded with decades of reliable blooms.
It is a host plant for the Wild Indigo Duskywing skipper, Orange Sulphur, and Clouded Sulphur butterflies, whose caterpillars feed on the foliage and seed pods.

Wildlife Value

🐝
Bumblebees Queen and worker bees pollinate white flower spikes
🦋
Wild Indigo Duskywing Larvae feed on leaves and flower buds
🦋
Frosted Elfin Rare butterfly whose caterpillars eat flower buds

Good Companions

🌸 Shooting Star 🌼 Stiff Coreopsis 🌿 Culver's Root 💜 Ironweed

Planting Guide

  1. Plant in full sun in average, well-drained soil.
  2. Space 3 feet apart; develops a deep taproot over time.
  3. Scarify or nick seed coat before sowing for best germination.

Heads Up

Toxic to Humans Keep away from children

Plant Details

White Wild Indigo detail
White Wild Indigo detail
White Wild Indigo detail
White Wild Indigo detail
White Wild Indigo detail
Made with ♥ by Lu Li