Lead Plant
Amorpha canescens
Also listed as Amorpha brachycarpa
Also known as Downy False Indigo, Downy Indigo-bush, Wild Tea
Climate Match for your location
See how well Lead Plant grows in your area.
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A native prairie shrub with silvery-grey foliage and spiky blue-purple flower spikes that attract pollinators. Extremely drought-tolerant once established and valuable for xeriscaping and prairie restoration.
Why grow it
Lead plant outperforms many ornamental shrubs in drought tolerance and nitrogen fixation, making it useful for stabilizing marginal soils without supplemental fertilizer. Its deep taproot distinguishes it from shallow-rooted alternatives, allowing establishment in compacted or poor soils. The blue-purple flower spikes reliably attract native bees and other pollinators over a long season, offering value beyond visual interest.
Watch out for
Establishment can be slow during the first two years, so competing weeds should be managed actively during this period. The plant's preference for full sun and well-drained soils means it will decline in shaded or waterlogged sites, limiting its placement flexibility in wetter gardens. Occasional pruning after flowering helps maintain compact form, as untended plants can become rangy over time.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Fabaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Great Plains and Central North America
Native to: Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Wisconsin, Wyoming
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A native prairie shrub with silvery-grey foliage and spiky blue-purple flower spikes that attract pollinators. Extremely drought-tolerant once established and valuable for xeriscaping and prairie restoration.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Lead Plant grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Lead plant outperforms many ornamental shrubs in drought tolerance and nitrogen fixation, making it useful for stabilizing marginal soils without supplemental fertilizer. Its deep taproot distinguishes it from shallow-rooted alternatives, allowing establishment in compacted or poor soils. The blue-purple flower spikes reliably attract native bees and other pollinators over a long season, offering value beyond visual interest.
Watch out for
Establishment can be slow during the first two years, so competing weeds should be managed actively during this period. The plant's preference for full sun and well-drained soils means it will decline in shaded or waterlogged sites, limiting its placement flexibility in wetter gardens. Occasional pruning after flowering helps maintain compact form, as untended plants can become rangy over time.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Fabaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Great Plains and Central North America
Native to: Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Wisconsin, Wyoming
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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