It will grow easily from seed that should be sown in September and takes from 3 to 6 weeks to germinate. The seedlings should be pricked out and planted in individual containers until they are about 20cm in height. They will flower in the 2nd or 3rd year. These plants may also be propagated by means of cuttings. More about the pea family Members of the pea family include a wide range of plants including economically important crops such as beans, peas and clover, as well as herbs, shrubs and a few beautiful flowering trees.
Indigo is one of the oldest colouring agents known to man.
The leaves are the main source of the dye but roots are sometimes also used. It gives a light purple to mauve colour or sometimes dark brown or grey, depending on the dyeing time. Natural indigo was originally produced for commercial use through a complicated process of aerobic fermentation and agitation, followed by heating the precipitated sludge, which was then formed into cakes for shipment. Other species of Indigofera have medicinal uses such as helping with infertility and menstrual cramps. One is even believed to be able to change the sex of a baby before birth.