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Clusterspike False Indigo

Amorpha herbacea

Last reviewed: October 2026

Clusterspike False Indigo (Amorpha herbacea)
Photo: (c) Jay Horn, some rights reserved (CC BY)

Toxicity unknown

Clusterspike False Indigo (Amorpha herbacea) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

12"–36" H × 12"–24" W

Bloom

May, Jun, Jul

Native to

AL, FL, GA, NC and 1 more states

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 459 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

PiedmontMiddle Atlantic Coastal PlainSoutheastern PlainsSouthern Coastal Plain

Clusterspike false indigo is a compact native perennial that produces distinctive upright spikes of small purple flowers from May through July. This drought-tolerant plant forms neat clumps and goes dormant in winter, returning reliably each spring with fresh growth.

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In an HOA neighborhood

Clusterspike False Indigo is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.

Works well in: front yard, foundation, street edge, mid zone.

  • Dies back completely in winter

Wildlife value

The flowers attract native bees and butterflies during the extended summer bloom period. As a legume, it also helps fix nitrogen in the soil naturally.

Common questions

How much sun does Clusterspike False Indigo need?
Clusterspike False Indigo grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Clusterspike False Indigo bloom?
Clusterspike False Indigo blooms in May, June, and July.
Where is Clusterspike False Indigo native?
Clusterspike False Indigo (Amorpha herbacea) is native to AL, FL, GA, NC and 1 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
What pollinators does Clusterspike False Indigo attract?
Clusterspike False Indigo draws bees and butterflies.
Is Clusterspike False Indigo HOA-friendly?
Clusterspike False Indigo is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

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