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Trailing Indigo Bush

Dalea greggii

true

1 gallon

Trailing Indigo Bush

In stock

1'x8'

Sizes:

Trailing Indigo Bush — Dalea greggii

Also known as: Gregg’s Dalea, Trailing Dalea, Trailing Indigo

Trailing Indigo Bush is one of the most reliable and low-maintenance groundcovers for full sun, intense heat, and reflected light in desert gardens. This evergreen, spreading plant forms a dense mat of soft, silvery foliage, usually growing just 1 to 2 feet tall while spreading widely across the ground. It’s ideal for slope stabilization, erosion control, and as a living mulch that reduces weeds and helps retain moisture.

From late winter through early summer, it produces clusters of tiny, fuzzy purple flowers, which are pea-shaped and range in color from lavender to deep violet. Though the blooms are subtle compared to more ornamental plants, they provide valuable nectar for bees and butterflies, adding seasonal interest to arid gardens.

Dalea greggii is native to northern Mexico, west Texas, and southern New Mexico, and is well suited to hot, dry conditions with excellent drainage. It thrives on neglect once established and needs only occasional deep watering. However, this plant does not tolerate overwatering or poorly draining soils. It should not be planted alongside water-loving species, as root rot can quickly develop in wet conditions.

Though it may look scraggly or unimpressive in nursery containers, don’t let that deter you—once in the ground, Trailing Indigo Bush becomes a dense, attractive groundcover that performs year after year. It is not rabbit-resistant, so it may require protection in areas with heavy browsing.

A member of the pea family, it also improves the soil by fixing nitrogen through a symbiotic relationship with root bacteria.

Wildlife Value

Host Plant: —
Nectar Source: Native bees; honeybees (Apis mellifera); Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus); Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui)
Bird Resources: Insects; Ground Shelter
Bird Species: Black-throated Sparrow (Amphispiza bilineata); California Towhee (Melozone crissalis); Lesser Goldfinch (Spinus psaltria)

Plant Care

Native region:

Chihuahuan Desert

Water needs:

Low

Exposure:

Full Sun

Mature size:

1'x8'

Growth rate:

Fast

Flower color:

Purple

Flower season:

Spring; Summer

Pruning:

None

Cold Hardiness:

20 Degrees

Nectar-producing:

Yes

Attracts pollinators:

Yes

Nighttime pollinators:

Butterflies or Moths:

Yes

Monarchs:

Larval host:

Bees:

Yes

Bats:

Birds:

Yes

Nest site:

Nest materials:

Rabbit-resistant:

Tortoises:

Yes

Growing Plants in the Desert — Important Information

The information presented here is, to the best of my knowledge, accurate and based on reliable research, personal experience in my own garden, observations from other gardens I’ve visited, and time spent studying plants in their native habitats. I always welcome your feedback and experiences to help me continue educating others!

Cacti:
In my experience, cacti are much happier in filtered shade here in the low desert of the Coachella Valley. Their colors are more vibrant and they tend to bloom more profusely, especially the non-native varieties. If you look closely at how our native barrel cactus and beavertail prickly pear grow in the wild, you’ll often find them tucked among rocks or beneath the shelter of creosote and other shrubs.

⚠️ A note of caution: Cacti and succulents are often illegally collected from the wild, which not only damages plant populations but also disturbs entire ecosystems. In some cases, wild populations of cacti have even gone extinct because of this practice. When purchasing these plants, always be sure they’ve been legally obtained. Look for nursery-grown stock or plants with a native plant certification, and keep that documentation for your records.

Light Requirements:
In our desert (Sonoran/Colorado), “full sun” doesn’t always mean what you might think. Many so-called full-sun plants benefit from and actually appreciate some late-afternoon filtered light—especially during the intense summer months.