Indigo, Japanese Pink (Ko-sen-bon) (Persicaria tinctoria) packet of 20 seeds, organic
$4.95
Family: Buckwheat (Polygonaceae)
Annual, 150 days to maturity
(Dyer’s Knotweed, Ko-sen-bon, Liao lan) This is the pink-flowered type. Frost-tender annual to 3 feet tall, a much-branched plant native to Eastern Europe and Asia, including especially Japan and Korea. Traditional use: Fresh and Dried leaves used in treating infections, as a disinfectant, also as a treatment for canker sores and seafood poisoning. Source of indicin–pure indigo dye. I just wanted to point out that the fresh leaves are colored green, not indigo blue. The one picture in the gallery of a blue leaf is how they appear when they wither, with the indigo showing through. Plant does well in standard garden culture, in sun to part shade, with a moderately rich soil and reasonably frequent watering. That said, it is an easily-grown and forgiving plant. Seed is kept refrigerated and should be planted as soon as possible after receipt. Sow 1/4 inch deep in rich soil, tamp securely, keep evenly moist and maintain at 70 to 75 degrees F for best germination. The basic horticultural technique for growing these in the temperate zone is to sow the seed in March, transplant seedlings to field in May, first harvest July, second harvest August.
20 seeds per packet, Certified Organically Grown
In stock
Question
Leanne Cares (verified owner) –
Hi, and thank you for the seeds! If I don’t plant all of these seeds this year and keep the leftovers refrigerated, do you know if they will still germinate next spring? Also, since I’m starting late, if I plant them in pots do you think they would do ok indoors for a short time in the fall when temps start to drop? Thank you!
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Richo Cech –
Hi Leanne,
This is short-lived seed of a fast-growing annual. I recommend planting the whole packet, it is a single-use packet. They can be planted out or kept in potted culture and they do not withstand frost.
Richo
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Question
Satya –
Will these seeds be happy in Xone 10-11, south Florida?
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Richo Cech –
Hello Satya, thanks for contacting. This is a quick annual which doesn’t care much about zones–it grows in the summer, it works throughout the USA. richo
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sherrill pearce –
i would also like to buy seeds for blue indigo please
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Richo Cech –
hi sherrill, i think you’re probably talking about Indigofera tinctoria, which I did at one time research, find and grow. It turned out to be a problematic species in my area and i had to give up on it. not sure where you can go to get verified material. r
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Question
Dawni –
How much is shipping to 45013 for 1 packet of Ko-sen-bon? I cannot order without knowing the total cost.
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Richo Cech –
$3.90, free if you order $10.00 worth of packets
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Question
Denise (verified owner) –
Can you tell me any companion planting ideas?
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Richo Cech –
Something tall that won’t mind having its feet wet and knees in pink flowers, something like an elecampane or a black cohosh, the possibilities are legion.
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Question
Clara (verified owner) –
Hello! My indigo starts are growing beautifully in their trays. I’m gardening them off and can’t wait to transplant them out. As 3’ tall branching plants, how much space between the plants do you recommend? Thank you!
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Richo Cech –
These work well in a bedded situation and will create a monotypic stand with no chance of weed pressure if planted just a foot apart. They can be planted individually or spaced more widely, but it is nice to crowd them a bit because they have better wind-resistance that way.
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Question
Dianne Garcia –
I just received a packet of Japanese pink indigo from you; would you recommend planting it in pots now (and keeping them inside, because it will freeze within the next few weeks here) or keeping them in the refrigerator in a sealed package and planting them next March outside? (Or splitting the seeds and trying each method?)
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Admin Richo Cech –
Hi Dianne,
I think it would be best to refrigerate and plant in spring. It is new-harvest seed from our own production and it will last well that way.
Richo
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Admin Richo Cech –
Hi Michelle,
If you double-click on the image it will bring you to my monograph on the plant, which is an annual, 150 days to maturity, and does indeed produce seeds to save. Get started early!
Richo
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Lydia –
Hello Richo, thank you for all your helpful information. Is this plant deer and rabbit resistant? Not sure whether to plant it inside or outside the garden fence. Also, is it the roots harvested or the leaves? I assume the leaves as you show the blue leaf and mention a first and second harvest. Thanks
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Richo Cech –
Hi Lydia, The leaves of Japanese indigo are very tender and probably are eaten by deer and rabbits, which then become blue deer and blue rabbits, because it is the leaves that contain the indicin.
Richo
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Lydia –
Ok- I will definitely plant them outside the fence then! Can’t wait to see the wildlife around here in a few weeks! 🙂
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Lori –
My plants are very small. Planted in June I think. So do you think they survive the winter in a greenhouse?
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Richo Cech –
Hi Lori, Yes, we have overwintered them in the greenhouse. Anyway, they may surprise you and put on a lot of mass still this year. Richo
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