White Wild Indigo

White Wild Indigo is scientifically known as Baptisia alba, a member of the pea family (Fabaceae). The genus name Baptisia derives from the Greek word for 'dye,' because some related species in the genus were historically used to produce a blue dye as a substitute for true indigo.

White Wild Indigo is a substantial prairie perennial that typically reaches 3 to 5 feet tall, with its flower spikes sometimes pushing even higher in ideal conditions. Its bold upright form and size make it a striking backdrop plant in native perennial borders.

The white pea-like flowers of White Wild Indigo are highly attractive to bumblebees, which serve as its primary pollinators, along with other native bees and butterflies. After flowering, the plant develops large inflated seed pods that turn charcoal-black and persist into fall, adding seasonal interest.

White Wild Indigo is exceptionally drought tolerant once established, thanks to a deep taproot that can extend several feet into the soil. This adaptation suits its native prairie and savanna habitats across the central United States, where summer dry periods are common.