One of my indigo friends asked me a very good question. How much space does Indigo Suffruticosa take up? So I went out and measured my bushes in my garden. Understand that the info provided here is based on an experimental garden location in the Texas Hill country in an irrigated terrace area. I could grow more but had to know if the plant would survive, provide indigo and seeds. We are all learning. I happen to be a couple of years ahead of you. Keep in mind we are all in different growing regions.
In case you don’t have your seeds yet, they are available here. SOLD OUT FOR 2018!
Exposure I placed the plants in three different exposures, full west sun, morning sun with afternoon protection and limited sun with deer exposure. All three exposures have worked.
Water My spacing is based on protected areas within reach of my irrigation line or spray locations. Your garden may differ. Bear in mind, your plant needs some water about 3 times a week, no matter how it is delivered to the plant. I happen to use alkali well water for my irrigation. Your plant will be grateful for any water delivered to it no matter what PH.
Spacing Individually, at full leaf bearing size an individual plant takes up a 2′ by 2′ space with heights ranging from 4′ to 8′. I do trim my bushes to keep branches from breaking in our wind storms. We are both happy at the enforced 5′ height. I have let multiple bushes grow together at 2/3 per bunch. One always becomes the dominant plant. I let the others come along for the ride as long as they give me leaves, if they don’t play well with the main bush they are cut back.
Bed Size East Morning Sun Bed is 8′ (space limited) with 17 plants and West Sun bed is 9′ (limited due to west exposure/would they live – yes) with about 10 plants. Both beds are 3 feet wide and the plants are staggered at 2 plants deep. These photos are of the late winter beds so forgive the weeds and scraggly appearance.
Finally, I am on “bud watch” right now. The plants are still dormant, the ground temps are not yet warm enough but we are very close to bud break on the plants that have survived. In my area the bushes live about 3 years. If we get a hard freeze I can loose all the plants. We did have several days of 14-16 degree weather here so it is possible not all the bushes will come back. I do start new plants, which do yield indigo in the first year and will plant them in once I see who has survived. Typically I pull the dead plants, give everything a good feeding and put in the new plants for the season.
Closeup of the branches I am watching for the buds to break on new stems and leaves.
I understand fully why folks have cultural blessings for their plants for a good yield and growing season. I have said a couple of those prayers or curses myself over the leaf cycle. May your growing season be joyful and curses be few.
debmcclintock 
Hello Ms. McClintock, I am a student at UT working on a project relating to local natural dyes. I am curious to know whether it is possible for indigo suffruticosa to dye to dark colors, either from a processed, powdered form or from leaves as you have done. I am also interested to know whether you accept volunteers as I would love to come out and see what you do in person.
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