Actual size and flowering may vary slightly based on season.
Trailing Indigo
Trailing Indigo is a long-lived Chihuahuan Desert groundcover that forms a dense, silvery mat about 1 to 2 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide. Its stems root along the ground as they spread, so it covers banks and slopes. Fuzzy purple flowers appear in spring and into summer, and bees and butterflies visit them. It needs little water and almost no care once rooted.
Best for: covering banks, slopes and large open beds with a low silvery mat, on little water and almost no upkeep.
Its stems root along the ground as they spread, forming a dense mat that covers the soil. It is used on steep banks and embankments. Plant about 4 feet apart on a slope so the mats knit together sooner.
Each plant grows about 1 to 2 feet tall and spreads 4 to 6 feet. Planted 4 to 6 feet apart, a few plants fill a large bed with silvery foliage that stays through winter in the low desert.
Water a new plant every 2 to 4 days for the first few weeks, then stretch the time between waterings. Once rooted it handles drought, and regular summer water makes it fuller. It needs almost no pruning.
It keeps spreading as its stems root, so it needs room and does not suit small, tight beds. Roots can rot in soil that drains poorly, so plant it where water soaks in and drains away.
- Faster cover4 ft apart
- Standard spacing4-6 ft apart
Water a new plant every 2 to 4 days for the first few weeks, then stretch the time between waterings. Once rooted it gets by on little water. A little extra water in the warm season makes it fuller, but soggy soil rots the roots, so do not overwater it.
It needs almost no maintenance. Trim only to control its spread, and remove frost-damaged stems in early spring.
It keeps its silvery leaves through winter in the low desert.
Drainage test first. Dig the hole and fill it with water. If water is still sitting in the hole a day later, you likely hit caliche, clay or hard soil, so fix the drainage before planting. If it drains very fast, the soil is sandy. Standing water around roots is a common reason new plants fail.
Weed cloth. Cut it away from the planting hole and where the roots will spread. Remove any plastic sheeting completely, since it keeps water and air out of the soil.
Rock or decomposed granite with no soil underneath. Bring in soil close in texture to your native soil, mix it with the soil below, and build up enough depth for roots before planting.
If you can break through. Use a breaker bar, pick, or jackhammer. Dig through the caliche and break out the solid chunks. Backfill with the soil you dug out, with no compost or manure in the hole. Confirm drainage before planting.
If you cannot break through. Dig narrow holes through the hard layer beside the root ball, not under it, and refill them with the same soil, not gravel. If it still will not drain, plant on a low mound of the same soil.
Root ball. Check the outside edges for any roots circling around. Loosen or cut those so they grow outward. Do not break up the center of the root ball.
Depth. The top of the root ball should sit at or just slightly above the surrounding soil level. Planting too deep can lead to rot and kill the plant.
Drip emitters. At planting, put the emitters on the root ball, on different sides of the plant. After about 2 months, move them to the outer edge of the root ball. Over the first year, add emitters farther out toward the edge of the branches as roots grow. Once a plant is rooted, never water only at the trunk.
How big does Trailing Indigo get?
About 1 to 2 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide. The stems root along the ground and keep spreading, so give it room and keep it out of small, tight beds.
How far apart should I plant Trailing Indigo?
About 4 to 6 feet apart, center to center. Use 4 feet for faster cover on a bank. The Spacing tab shows the numbers.
Is it good for slopes?
Yes. It forms a dense mat that covers the soil and is used on steep banks and embankments. Plant it about 4 feet apart on a slope for faster cover.
How fast does it grow?
Fast once it is rooted. The stems keep spreading and rooting along the ground.
When does it bloom?
Mostly in spring, with some flowers into summer. The small purple flowers come in clusters.
Does it attract bees or butterflies?
Yes. Bees and butterflies visit the flowers.
How often should I water it?
Water a new plant every 2 to 4 days for the first few weeks, then stretch the time between waterings. Once rooted it handles drought well, and a little extra summer water makes it fuller.
Does it need pruning?
It needs almost no pruning. Trim it only to keep it within bounds, and cut out frost-damaged stems in early spring.
Is it evergreen?
Yes. The silvery foliage stays through the winter in the low desert.
How cold hardy is Trailing Indigo?
It is rated hardy to about 10°F to 15°F. If a hard freeze damages some stems, cut them out in early spring.
Trailing Indigo for sale in Arizona, delivered to you
Trailing Indigo, Dalea greggii, is a Chihuahuan Desert groundcover known for its dense silvery foliage and purple spring flowers. It spreads by rooting along the ground and holds banks and slopes on little water. This page covers its size, spacing, bloom, watering and care.
Sourced from trusted Arizona growers and delivered directly to your door, job site, or property. We deliver across the Valley and to nearby towns, and quote delivery anywhere else in Arizona.
How big does Trailing Indigo Bush get in Arizona?
It grows about 1 to 2 feet tall and spreads 4 to 6 feet. The stems root along the ground as they spread.
Is Trailing Indigo good for erosion control?
Yes. It forms a dense mat that covers the soil and is used on steep banks and embankments.
How far apart to plant Trailing Indigo
Plant it about 4 to 6 feet apart, center to center, or about 4 feet apart on a bank for faster cover. A few plants knit together into a continuous mat.
Watering Trailing Indigo in the Valley
Once rooted it handles drought well. Regular summer water makes it fuller. Soil must drain, since roots can rot in wet ground.
When does Trailing Indigo bloom?
It blooms mostly in spring, with some flowers into summer. Bees and butterflies visit the purple flowers.
Does Trailing Indigo need pruning?
It needs almost no pruning. Trim it only to keep it within bounds where space is limited, and cut out frost-damaged stems in early spring.
We deliver across the Valley, from Phoenix, Scottsdale and Mesa out to San Tan Valley, Maricopa and Casa Grande, and up to Prescott, Sedona, Payson and Globe. See delivery areas and rates.