Gardening Flowers Perennials How to Plant and Grow Baptisia This tough perennial produces long-lasting wands of purplish-blue flowers in spring. By Nadia Hassani Nadia Hassani Nadia Hassani is a gardening and food writer with more than two decades of hands-on gardening experience in vegetable and fruit gardening, landscaping with native plants, and garden design. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on September 27, 2023 In This Article View All In This Article Where to Plant Planting Tips Care Propagation Types Companion Plants FAQ Trending Videos Close this video player Commonly known as false indigo, baptisia is a rugged native prairie plant that features tall spires of colorful blooms along with attractive blue-green foliage. The flowers resemble those of peas or beans, which are in the same plant family. Once the blooms have faded, they are followed by large clusters of showy seed pods that dry out as they mature and create a rattling noise in the breeze. The genus comprises more than 20 species of which blue false indigo (Baptisia australis) is the most commonly planted. Originally, most baptisia plants produced flowers in shades of blue. New hybrids brought new colors, including shades of white, pink, yellow, red, and chocolate brown, as well as in bi-color combinations. There are also varieties with a more compact growth habit. Baptisia is toxic to humans. Baptisia Overview Genus Name Baptisia spp. Common Name Baptisia Plant Type Perennial Light Part Sun, Sun Height 2 to 4 feet Width 2 to 4 feet Flower Color Blue, Orange, Pink, Purple, White, Yellow Foliage Color Blue/Green, Gray/Silver Season Features Spring Bloom, Summer Bloom Special Features Attracts Birds, Cut Flowers, Low Maintenance Zones 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Propagation Seed, Stem Cuttings Problem Solvers Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant Where to Plant Baptisia Plant baptisia in a location with full sun and well-draining soil that is slightly acidic to neutral. In small settings, baptisia looks good as a specimen. Its shrub-like appearance makes it a good choice for the back of a border. In larger landscapes, try a mass planting of baptisia. With its dense foliage, the plant is attractive not only during bloom time but all season long. In addition to other native perennials, mid-sized upright ornamental grasses make good companion plants for baptisia. How and When to Plant Baptisia In southern locations with mild winters, you can plant baptisia in the fall. In northern climates, plant it in the spring after the danger of frost has passed. To plant a baptisia that you purchased from a nursery, dig a hole about twice the diameter of the pot and about the same depth. Place the plant in the hole and fill in original soil to the top of the root ball. Gently tamp down the soil and water it well. Keep it well-watered for the first growing season to allow the plant to establish a strong root system. The proper spacing depends on the variety. Plant taller species 3 to 4 feet apart. Smaller varieties can be planted 18 to 30 inches apart. Baptisia Care Tips Like most native plants, baptisia requires little maintenance. Light Although the plant tolerates part shade, for the best bloom, plant it in full sun. In too much shade, the plant can get weak and leggy, and the stems might require staking. Soil and Water Other than planting baptisia in well-drained soil, the plant is undemanding in terms of soil requirements. The ideal soil pH is between 6.8 and 7.2. Once the plant is established, it can withstand droughts without much supplemental watering, thanks to its deep, extensive root system. Temperature and Humidity Wild indigo is a hardy plant that is quite adaptable to both warm and cool temperatures within its zone range. In a humid climate, however, proper air circulation is important, as the plant is prone to get fungal disease in wet or moist conditions. Fertilizer There is no need to fertilize the plants; in fact, an excess of nutrients can lead to floppy growth. Pruning Cut the plant back to the ground after the first frost in fall or before new growth emerges in the spring. Some of the newer varieties grow large enough to resemble shrubs; trim them back to about a third of the original size after blooming to keep them looking tidy. Potting and Repotting Baptisia Because of its long taproot, baptisia is not suitable for being grown in containers. Pests and Problems Generally, baptisia is free of serious insect or disease problems. In humid or crowded conditions, the plant can get powdery mildew. The damage that weevils cause to the seeds is minor because it does not affect the appearance of the plant. How to Propagate Baptisia Propagating baptisia can be challenging for several reasons. Many of the newer hybrids, including ‘Lemon Meringue’, ‘Pink Lemonade’, ‘Blueberry Sundae’, and ‘Cherries Jubilee’, are protected by plant patents, and propagating them is prohibited. Due to its deep taproot, the plant is not suitable to be divided. Getting the seeds to germinate is difficult because of the very hard seed coat. Plus, a plant started from seed may take three to four years to bloom. Propagating baptisia from stem cuttings is the best option although it also requires proper timing and patience. Take a cutting of the new, soft growth in the spring. As the season progresses and the stems harden, the success rate drops significantly. Take a cutting about 6 inches long with at least two sets of leaves and one set of leaf nodes near the lower part of the cutting. Dip the cut end of the cutting in rooting hormone. Fill a 4-inch pot with damp potting mix and insert the cutting in the mix. Cover it with a plastic dome or a perforated plastic bag and keep it in a bright location but out of direct sunlight. Keep the soil evenly moist at all times. It takes about 8 weeks for the cutting to root. Remove the plastic cover and continue to let the cutting grow into a healthy little plant before transplanting it into the landscape. Types of Baptisia Blue False Indigo Susan Gilmore Baptisia australis has blue-green foliage that is attractive even when not in bloom and, because of its size (3 to 4 feet tall), makes an excellent shrub substitute. Zone 3–9 Lesser Baptisia Denny Schrock Baptisia australis var. minor is a smaller version of blue false indigo, growing to only 2 feet tall and blooming slightly later. Zone 3–9 White False Indigo Baptisia alba has white flowers in the spring that last for 4 to 6 weeks. It grows 2 to 4 feet tall and about 2 feet wide. The stems and stalks are charcoal gray. Zone 4-9 'Purple Smoke' Baptisia Bob Stefko This hybrid of B. australis var. aberrans and B. alba has smoky violet flowers held loosely above gray-green foliage. Zone 4-9 Yellow False Indigo Baptisia sphaerocarpa, a slightly less winter-hardy Baptisia species, has bright yellow flowers and bright green foliage on upright stems. It reaches 2 to 3 feet in height and 2 to 4 feet in width. Zone 5-8 Baptisia Companion Plants Black-Eyed Susan Perry Struse Add a pool of sunshine to the garden with a mass planting of black-eyed Susan. From midsummer, these tough native plants bloom their golden heads off in sun or light shade and mix well with other perennials, annuals, and shrubs. Tall varieties look especially appropriate among shrubs, which in turn provide support. Add black-eyed Susans to wildflower meadows or native plant gardens for a naturalized look. Average soil is sufficient for black-eyed Susans, but it should be able to hold moisture fairly well. Zone 3-10 Coneflower Bob Lenz Purple coneflower is so easy to grow, attractive, and draws so many birds and butterflies that you simply must grow it if you have the room. Valued for its large sturdy daisy-like flowers with dropping petals, this prairie native will spread easily in good soil and full sun. It is bothered by few pests ordiseases. Allow it to spread so that you have at least a small stand of it. Let the flowers go to seed and the goldfinches will love you, coming to feast on the seeds daily. Coneflowers bloom from summer to fall. Zone 3-9 Perennial Geranium Justin Hancock One of the longest bloomers in the garden, hardy geranium bears little flowers for months at a time. It produces jewel-tone, saucer-shaped flowers and mounds of handsome, lobed foliage. It needs full sun, but otherwise, it is a tough and reliable plant, thriving in a wide range of soils. Perennial geraniums may form large colonies. Zone 3-9 Frequently Asked Questions What is the wildlife value of baptisia? Baptisia has high wildlife value. It attracts butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects and serves as a larval host plant for different butterflies. Birds feed on the seeds and songbirds use the plant for cover. Do deer and rabbit eat baptisia? Deer usually leave the plant alone but might feed on it when there is no other food source around. Rabbits may feed on young plants so you might want to protect it with a chicken wire cloche for the first couple of years. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit Sources Better Homes & Gardens is committed to using high-quality, reputable sources—including peer-reviewed studies—to support the facts in our articles. Read about our editorial policies and standards to learn more about how we fact check our content for accuracy. Baptisia australis. North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension.