seeds
Open-pollinated. 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. ①
From early May through October 31, items shipping from
our garden seeds warehouse ship twice a week, usually
Tuesday and Thursday. For quickest turnaround
time order online by noon Monday or Wednesday.
We will not be fulfilling seed orders from May
20 - May 22 while we do physical inventory count. Orders
placed by Monday, May 19 at 10am will be shipped before
the break. We will resume normal order fulfillment on
Friday, May 23.
ships year-round
