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Native Plant Society of Texas

Scarlet Pea

Indigofera miniata

Other common name(s):

Texas Indigo, Coastal Indigo, Western Indigo

Family:

Fabaceae (Pea Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

This map uses data from the US EPA. EPA  servers have been offline frequently so maps may not display. We are working on a solution.

Central Great Plains, Chihuahuan Deserts, Cross Timbers, East Central Texas Plains, Edwards Plateau, Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Southern Texas Plains, Southwestern Tablelands, Texas Blackland Prairies, Western Gulf Coastal Plain
Broken Red Plains, Limestone Plains, Red Prairie
Low Mountains and Bajadas, Stockton Plateau
Carbonate Cross Timbers, Eastern Cross Timbers, Grand Prairie, Limestone Cut Plain, Western Cross Timbers
Southern Post Oak Savanna
Balcones Canyonlands, Edwards Plateau Woodland, Llano Uplift
Coastal Sand Plain, Floodplains and Low Terraces4, Laguna Madre Barrier Island and Coastal Marshes, Lower Rio Grande Alluvial Floodplain, Lower Rio Grande Valley, Mid-Coast Barrier Islands and Coastal Marshes, Northern Humid Gulf Coastal Prairies, Southern Subhumid Gulf Coastal Prairies, Texas-Louisiana Coastal Marshes
Northern Nueces Alluvial Plains, Rio Grande Floodplain and Terraces, Semiarid Edwards Bajada, Texas-Tamaulipan Thornscrub
Canadian/Cimarron Breaks
Floodplains and Low Terraces1, Northern Blackland Prairie, Southern Blackland Prairie
Flatwoods, Floodplains and Low Terraces3, Pleistocene Fluvial Terraces, Southern Tertiary Uplands, Tertiary Uplands

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Groundcover, Herbaceous

Height

.25
to
.5
ft.

Spread

1
to
2
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Clay, Caliche, Well Drained, Moist, Dry

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Low

Native Habitat

Grassland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Pink, Orange

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer, Fall

Seasonal Interest

Forage, Nectar, Larval Host

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Deer

Maintenance

Can be used as ground cover. Will be more visible if planted in mass. Blooms on and off year round depending on conditions. Cut back lightly to encourage blooms. Native habitat: open areas of the eastern two thirds of Texas. Low deer resistance. Propagation: seed.

Comments

Blooms April-November. Stems are prostrate, up to about 2 feet long. Leaves are divided into five to nine tiny leaflets. The pea-shaped flowers are a bright salmon pink. The fruit is a brown legume pod, typical of the Pea Family. Larval host: Grey Hairstreak, Common Dogface, Reakirt’s Blue.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Indigofera leptosepala, Indigofera miniata var. florida, Indigofera miniata var. leptosepala, Indigofera miniata var. miniata, Indigofera miniata var. texana

References

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Stem Cutting Place cutting in water until roots start to emerge. Cut a stem just below a node. 1) https://earthone.io/plant/indigofera%20miniata?srsltid=AfmBOopnFQkgPSQVbkC-hkpO5prze78IH5GRxGsFQQC1xmXLTSESZlme 2) https://beach-landscaping.com/groundcover-and-vines-coastal-indigo/#:~:text=Botanical%20name:%20indigofera%20miniata,Invasive%20species:%20yes
Seed No Treatment Coastal indigo propagates best through fresh seeds in well-draining, organic-rich soil. Lightly covering seeds enhances soil contact for germination. Maintain consistent moisture without overwatering, and ensure ample sunlight post-germination for optimal growth. Collect seed in late summer, fall when pods turn brown. 1) https://www.picturethisai.com/wiki/Indigofera_miniata.html 2) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=inmi

About the Region

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our fall Symposium host chapter, the Tonkawa Chapter, includes both of these ecoregions.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason