Use & Care NotesCompanion Plants
Honey Roasted False Indigo: Mahogany and Gold Against Purple
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Honey Roasted false indigo carries 10-inch spikes of pea-shaped flowers in dark mahogany with bright yellow keels. As the flowers age they lighten toward honey yellow, so a single spike shows several warm tones at once. The plant forms a bushy, rounded mound about 3 to 3½ feet tall and up to 4 feet wide, with blue-green, three-parted leaves.
It is a native plant with a deep taproot, which means it settles in slowly and then stays for the long haul. Think of it as a lavender companion you plant once.
Honey Roasted at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Baptisia 'Honey Roasted' |
| Flowers | Dark mahogany with yellow keels, aging to honey yellow, on 10-inch spikes |
| Foliage | Blue-green, three-parted leaves |
| Size | 36 to 42 inches tall, 42 to 48 inches wide |
| Bloom | Late May into June, peaking early June |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 4-9 |
| Light | Full sun to part shade |
| Wildlife | Great for pollinators; deer resistant |
A warm-toned partner for cool lavender
Most lavender companions lean pink, white or blue. Honey Roasted goes the other way, and that is the point. Mahogany and gold sit opposite purple on the color wheel, so each makes the other look richer. Its bloom opens in late May and early June, just as lavender is building buds, so the color hands off from one to the other as spring turns to summer.
The blue-green foliage stays handsome all season and blends with silver lavender leaves after the flowers finish. Because it grows wide, give it the back or corner of the bed and keep lavender far enough away that air can move. The Companion Plant Planner helps you work out spacing.
Planting and care
- Choose the spot carefully: established plants resent being moved because of the deep taproot.
- Soil: lean to average and well drained. Soggy winter soil is the main cause of loss.
- Water: help it through the first season or two, then let it fend for itself.
- Patience: expect a couple of seasons before it fills out. After that, it is a fixture.
- Fall: cut stems down in late fall, or leave the dark seed pods standing for winter interest.
Cutting and seed pods
The spikes are good cut flowers for early-season arrangements. Later, the inflated seed pods turn dark and make interesting dried stems. False indigo is grown as an ornamental only; it contains alkaloids and is considered mildly toxic if eaten.
Planting from bare root
Honey Roasted is offered as a bare root plant. Plant it in spring with the crown just below the soil surface and the roots spread downward, then water it in well. See the product page for current availability.
Frequently asked questions
Does it need staking?
Usually not in lean soil and full sun. Rich soil or too much shade can make the stems open up.
Is it fragrant?
It has no notable fragrance, so your lavender carries the scent.
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