Japanese Indigo
$20.00
$0.00
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- SHIPSBeginning in April
- HEIGHT12-24" when full grown
- SPACING3" between plants
- LIGHTFull sun, or part-shade
- ZONEAnnual, zones 4-12
- SHIPPINGFlat rate $10 shipping on all orders
- INCLUDES3 plants, each in a 2" diameter pot
- Botanical NamePersicaria tinctoria
Description
Japanese Indigo leaves must be used fresh, so have everything ready before you harvest. Harvest 10 or so stalks of Indigo, stick the leaves into your blender, cover with very cold water, and blend. Strain this mixture into your dying pot, mix in 2T white vinegar, and stick the cloth you want to dye into the pot. Mix it around for about 5 minutes - 1 hour depending on how deep you want the color. It will look yellow-ish/green in the pot, but when you pull the cloth out of the pot and expose it to oxygen it turns blue! Behold! After rinsing if you want a darker color, simply put it back in the pot.
- DEER Deer resistant
- KIDS+PETS Non-toxic
- DIFFICULTY Super easy to grow
- CLIMATE Heat loving
- WATER Likes regular water
- INDOOR+POTS Grows well in containers outside.
How to Plant
Dig a hole and tuck your plant in so it is even with the soil. Now give your plant a good wish, a few solid pats to compress the soil around it, and a long drink of water.
Where to Plant
Find a place that gets a decent amount of sun, and space plants about 3" apart.
When to Plant
Avoid the heat of the day when planting — plant in the early morning, late afternoon, or by the light of the moon. Plant outside after your average last frost in the Spring.
When to Expect Blooms
SWe're here for the foliage.
Care Instructions
Water regularly and wait until the plant has matured around July to harvest leaves for dye. And ask us any questions along the way.
Extra Credit
Indigo is sensitive to frost, wait to plant until the ground has warmed up in the Spring.