Chinese indigo is an annual plant in the Buckwheat family (Polygonaceae) native to China and Vietnam. It had been used for many centuries in China for the blue dye extracted from the leaves. There are various types available but some may be difficult to find. The plant will grow 2 to 4 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide and requires full sun to produce the blue dye. Grow in moist, well-drained, moderately fertile soil, alkaline for best results. They can be grown from transplants or seeds can be direct sown once the soil temperature is above 50 degrees. They may experience heat stress during the hottest part of the summer so mulch to help retain moisture. Fertilize with a balanced supply of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium Spikey clusters of pink or white flowers bloom from summer into fall. The leaves vary per type and can be rounded, narrow or crinkled. The best dye comes from the larger leaves. Use the plant for the home dyer's garden; however, the flowers are showy and can be used in the border of a garden. For more information, see this publication from Utah State University Extension . Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter
Soil pH
Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Mature size
Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Blue; Green; Red/Burgundy
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf shape
Lanceolate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The lanceolate leaves are green with occasional bluish or reddish tints. 2.5 to 4 inches long and 3/4 to 2 inches wide. Leaves can vary per variety, with some rounded and some crinkled.
Flower color
Pink; White
Flower form
Spike
Flower detail
Pink and sometimes white flowers occur in spikes at the end of stems from summer to fall