How much sun does Hairy Indigo need?

Hairy Indigo grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Hairy Indigo bloom?

Hairy Indigo blooms in March, April, May, June, July, August, and September.

Is Hairy Indigo toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Hairy Indigo as toxic to livestock.

What pollinators does Hairy Indigo attract?

Hairy Indigo draws bees and butterflies.

Is Hairy Indigo HOA-friendly?

Hairy Indigo takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Hairy Indigo

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Indigofera hirsuta

Last reviewed: August 2026

Toxicity unknown

Hairy Indigo (Indigofera hirsuta) 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.

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Hairy Indigo as toxic to livestock.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

12"–24" H × 12"–24" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Native alternatives to Hairy Indigo

Hairy Indigo is not native to the United States. These natives fill a similar role in a planting, matched on bloom season, bloom color and mature size.

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Hairy indigo is a low-growing annual wildflower that produces small pink to purple blooms from spring through fall. This compact native plant thrives in sunny locations with minimal water once established and reseeds naturally to return each year.

In an HOA neighborhood

Hairy Indigo takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Annual habit creates gaps in landscaping
Can appear weedy or unkempt
Self-seeding may seem uncontrolled

Wildlife value

The long blooming period provides nectar for bees and butterflies throughout most of the growing season. As a member of the legume family, it also helps improve soil nitrogen levels.

Common questions

How much sun does Hairy Indigo need?: Hairy Indigo grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Hairy Indigo bloom?: Hairy Indigo blooms in March, April, May, June, July, August, and September.
Is Hairy Indigo toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Hairy Indigo as toxic to livestock.
What pollinators does Hairy Indigo attract?: Hairy Indigo draws bees and butterflies.
Is Hairy Indigo HOA-friendly?: Hairy Indigo takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

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

Ready to grow Hairy Indigo? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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