Baptisia Species, White False Indigo, White Wild Indigo

Baptisiaalba

Family
Fabaceae (fab-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Baptisia (bap-TIS-ee-uh)
Species
alba (AL-ba)
Synonym
Baptisia albescens
Baptisia albiflora
Baptisia lactea
Baptisia leucantha
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Foliage
Herbaceous
Height
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
Spacing
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 3a: to -39.9 °C (-40 °F)
USDA Zone 3b: to -37.2 °C (-35 °F)
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
Danger
Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Bloom Color
Medium Purple
White/Near White
Bloom Time
Late Spring/Early Summer
Mid Summer
Other Details
Category
Perennials
Water Requirements
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
From seed; stratify if sowing indoors
From seed; germinate in a damp paper towel
Scarify seed before sowing
Seed Collecting
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Daphne, Alabama

Crawfordville, Florida

Jacksonville, Florida(2 reports)

Lady Lake, Florida

Lake City, Florida

Austell, Georgia

Alton, Illinois

Glen Ellyn, Illinois

Lisle, Illinois

Waukegan, Illinois

Iowa City, Iowa

Merryville, Louisiana

Waterford, Michigan

Watervliet, Michigan

Lone Jack, Missouri

Raleigh, North Carolina

Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania

Arlington, Virginia

Leesburg, Virginia

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Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

2
positives
2
neutrals
0
negative
Sort By:
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M
Altoona, PA (Zone 6a) | March 2014 | positive

I planted two Baptisia alba plants each with two sprouts last year in a small dry bed next to my driveway that also has a crepe myrtle th...Read More

G
The Villages, FL | November 2013 | positive

This plant takes several years to flower. It does not like transplanting, so be sure it is in the right place at the start. In central FL...Read More

F
Josephine, Arlington, TX (Zone 8a) | January 2007 | neutral

White False Indigo Baptisia alba is Native to Texas and other States.

S
Oklahoma City, OK (Zone 7a) | August 2004 | neutral

The root was used by Indians to treat typhus, scarlet fever and dysentery. It was also used to promote vomiting, treat eczema, long stand...Read More

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