Quick answer: Longbract wild indigo (cream false indigo) (Baptisia bracteata var. leucophaea) is native to 19 states. What's commonly sold under this name is the true wild species. No live listing of the true species was found as of 16 Sep 2026.
Photo: Frank Mayfield, Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA-2.0)
Where it's native
Listed in the directory as native to these states. Click a state for its full native-plant guide.
Growing conditions
From the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Native Plant Database.
| Sun | Part shade |
|---|---|
| Water | Moist |
| Soil | Well-drained, sandy to loamy |
| Bloom | Mar-Jun |
| Height | Up to 2 ft |
| Wildlife value | Special value to native/bumble bees |
Other Baptisia species are poisonous if ingested (no recorded human fatalities); sensitivity varies, children particularly vulnerable
Buying it
No live listing of the true wild species was found as of 16 Sep 2026 — that means our last search didn't surface one, not that the plant is unavailable.
No live seed or plant listing found as of 16 Sep 2026. That means our last search didn't surface one — not that the plant is unavailable. Try a regional native-plant nursery.
Quick answers about Longbract wild indigo (cream false indigo)
Where is Longbract wild indigo (cream false indigo) native?
Longbract wild indigo (cream false indigo) (Baptisia bracteata var. leucophaea) is native to 19 states across the Midwest and South. Check your state's page in this directory for the full list of plants native where you live.
When does Longbract wild indigo (cream false indigo) bloom?
Longbract wild indigo (cream false indigo) blooms Mar-Jun. Exact timing shifts a few weeks with latitude and elevation.
What growing conditions does Longbract wild indigo (cream false indigo) need?
Light: Part shade. Water: Moist. Soil: Well-drained, sandy to loamy. Mature height: Up to 2 ft.
Is Longbract wild indigo (cream false indigo) good for pollinators and wildlife?
Yes. Wildlife value: Special value to native/bumble bees.
Is Longbract wild indigo (cream false indigo) deer-resistant or drought-tolerant?
Longbract wild indigo (cream false indigo) is deer-resistant and tolerates shade.
Is Longbract wild indigo (cream false indigo) toxic?
Other Baptisia species are poisonous if ingested (no recorded human fatalities); sensitivity varies, children particularly vulnerable.
Where can I buy Longbract wild indigo (cream false indigo)?
We haven't found an online listing of the true wild species as of 16 Sep 2026. A regional native-plant nursery or native seed company is your best source; ask for Baptisia bracteata var. leucophaea by its scientific name.
Similar native plants
Native plants that share growing conditions or range with Longbract wild indigo (cream false indigo).
- Showy goldenrod Solidago speciosa
- Prairie ironweed Vernonia fasciculata
- Virginia mountain mint Pycnanthemum virginianum
- Sweet coneflower Rudbeckia subtomentosa
- Prairie onion Allium stellatum
- Dutchman's breeches Dicentra cucullaria
Also listed under
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