Dyer's Woad Plant Care
Isatis tinctoria L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Isatis tinctoria, also called woad, dyer's woad, dyer's-weed, or glastum, is a flowering plant in the family Brassicaceae with a documented history of use as a blue dye and medicinal plant.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–75°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Dyer's Woad?
Water Dyer's Woad every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Dyer's Woad?
Dyer's Woad (Isatis tinctoria) belongs to the Brassicaceae family within the Isatis genus. Dyer's Woad is also known as Woad.
Dyer's Woad displays an upright, branching herb growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Dyer's Woad produces small clusters of yellow flowers in terminal racemes.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Dyer's Woad?
Isatis tinctoria requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Dyer's Woad Need?
Dyer's Woad thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Dyer's Woad Prefer?
Isatis tinctoria grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Dyer's Woad prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Dyer's Woad?
Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Dyer's Woad to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Dyer's Woad?
Feed Dyer's Woad every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Dyer's Woad?
Repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Dyer's Woad?
Dyer's Woad can be propagated through seeds, division of rootball.
Is the Dyer's Woad Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Dyer's Woad, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Dyer's Woad?
Dyer's Woad is susceptible to aphids, cabbage worms, flea beetles. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Dyer's Woad Need?
Dyer's Woad grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Dyer's Woad as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Dyer's Woad is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Isatis genus — compare its care with other Isatis species on PlantoScan.
Isatis is part of the Brassicaceae plant family — browse all Brassicaceae genera and species.
Dyer's Woad thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Isatis tinctoria L., family Brassicaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 670 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Dyer's Woad, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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