Indigofera miniata
scarlet pea
South-central and southeastern North America
Overview
Indigofera miniata is a low-growing perennial legume in the pea family, producing trailing or sprawling stems 1-2 feet (30-60 cm) long from a deep woody taproot. The plant rarely rises more than 6-10 inches (15-25 cm) off the ground, spreading outward to form mats 1-3 feet (30-90 cm) across. Leaves are odd-pinnate with 5-9 small leaflets, each covered in flattened hairs that give a grayish-green cast. Small pea-shaped flowers in salmon, brick-red, or scarlet appear in short clusters from late spring through autumn, followed by slender straight seed pods 0.75-1.25 inch (2-3 cm) long. As a legume it fixes nitrogen through root nodules and grows in poor, sandy soils low in fertility. It is drought tolerant once established, drawing on the deep taproot during dry spells. The trailing habit makes it slow to establish from seed, and the deep root makes mature plants difficult to move. Foliage dies back in winter in the colder part of its range and resprouts from the crown in spring.
Native Range
Indigofera miniata is native to the south-central and southeastern United States and northeastern Mexico, including Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Florida. It grows in sandy prairies, open woods, coastal grasslands, and roadsides.Suggested Uses
Indigofera miniata is used as a low groundcover, in native and pollinator gardens, and on dry banks or sandy slopes for erosion control. Its nitrogen fixation and drought tolerance suit low-input and restoration plantings. It combines with native grasses and other prairie wildflowers in informal beds.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height6" - 10"
Width/Spread1' - 3'
Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years
Colors
Bloom Information
Flowering extends from late spring through autumn, roughly May to October, with peaks after rain. Flowers open a few at a time in short clusters held among the leaves. The long season comes from repeated flushes rather than continuous bloom. Bees and small butterflies visit the flowers, and the plant serves as a larval host for some sulphur and skipper butterflies.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
salmon to scarletFoliage Description
gray-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Indigofera miniata grows in full sun and sandy, fast-draining soil, tolerating heat, drought, and low fertility once established. As a nitrogen-fixing legume it needs no supplemental feeding and declines in rich or overwatered ground. Occasional water during the first season helps establish the taproot, after which little added water is needed. The plant withstands mowing and light grazing, regrowing from the crown. In USDA zones 8 and warmer it is evergreen to semi-evergreen, while in zone 7 it dies back and resprouts in spring. Seed germinates more readily after scarification because of the hard pea coat.Pruning
Little pruning is needed. Plants can be sheared or mowed in late winter to remove old growth before spring regrowth. Trailing stems may be trimmed to hold the plant within bounds.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
winter