Indigo Dye Plant

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Indigo Dye Plant

Polygonum tinctorium
Japanese indigo preferred by dyers in Maine. A tender annual, indigo thrives in fertile soil and likes heat and humidity. Best started indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost, transplanted out on 1' centers and kept moist. When the plants have grown 1–2' tall and bruised leaves turn navy blue, they are ready for a first harvest. If you cut the stems several nodes up from the ground, they will re-sprout and you can harvest the re-growth, perhaps several times more.

Traditionally, dyers use dried leaves for the classic indigo color. If you intend to dye with fresh leaves, prepare the dye bath the same day as the harvest and expect a lighter shade of blue. Annual. ~250 seeds/g.



5911 Indigo
Item Discounted
Price
Quantity
A: 0.1g for $3.50   
B: 0.3g for $8.75   
C: 1.2g for $22.00   
D: 4.8g for $70.00   

Additional Information

Dye Plants

Susanne Grosjean, of the Wednesday Spinners group in Downeast Maine, says, “You need only three dye plants: indigo for blue, madder for red and weld for yellow. Three primary colors, all excellent color-fast dye plants.”

See also: Lady’s Mantle.

Flowers

All flowers are open-pollinated except where noted.

Days in parentheses after a variety indicate days to first bloom.

Germination Testing

For the latest results of our germination tests, please see the germination page.

Our Seeds are Non-GMO

Non GMO

All of our seeds are non-GMO, and free of neonicotinoids and fungicides. Fedco is one of the original companies to sign the Safe Seed Pledge.