Growing an indigo plant from a seed is not that difficult. It will thrive if kept in a warm, bright area of your home. The indigo is a beautiful plant to include in your indoor plant collection.

The plants history.

Use of the indigo began in India and dates from the 4th century BC. Dye was extracted from the stems and leaves making the indigo a useful and valuable plant. Even today, the die of the indigo plant is used in various crafts and art projects. You will see it used to color fabrics and used in ink paint.

Starting an indigo plant from seeds.

To start the plant from seeds, begin in May and sow the seeds in a large sized tray or saucer. Lightly cover the seeds with compost. Place a cover on top of the tray and preserve a temperature of seventy-five degrees Fahrenheit. Shortly after the seeds have germinated, move them into a small pot. As they grow in size continue to move them into larger pots.

The soil in which you keep the indigo plant should be loam based. The pot used to grow the indigo must have good drainage. For best growth keep the indigo plant in the full sun on a windowsill or sun room.

Keeping older indigo plants properly cared for

When the indigo matures, it will begin to produce flowers that are a lovely shade of pink. If you would like your plant to have more flowers you should feed it a high potassium fertilizer.

What else is the indigo plant used for?

The indigo plant has been used in Eastern medicine to treat various healthy problems. However, in Western medicine it lacks scientific proof of having any real medicinal properties. The plant has been reported to help treat cancers, epilepsy, bronchitis, spleen problems and other medical conditions.

A long rich history is attached to the indigo plant. For thousands of years the plant has been cultivated for its dye. There is a good chance the dye is being used in something around you right now. When you think about how useful the plant is, you may want to keep one in your home.