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How to Grow Plumbago — Cape Plumbago

Flower cluster of Cape Plumbago
Flower cluster of Cape plumbago, Plumbago auriculata

Plumbago– commonly called cape plumbago–is a fast-growing, long-flowering sprawling shrub or vine. It produces abundant sprays of pale, sky blue flowers from summer into autumn.

Cape Plumbago produces whip-like shoots that can be trained to support as a vine. This plant tolerates salty, calcareous, and rocky soil. It is a good choice for banks and hot and dry spots. It is drought-tolerant once established, but with some supplemental water, it will grow full.

Flowers are an inch wide and appear on phlox-like clusters. The flower color may vary from plant to plant and is set for life, so it is a good idea to purchase the plant in bloom to know what you are getting.

This plant is not to be confused with Dwarf Plumbago, Ceratostigma plumbaginoides, which grow to one-third the size of Cape Plumbago and is used as a groundcover.

Plumbago is a genus of about 15 species of annuals, perennials, and evergreen shrubs native to warm-temperature to tropical regions worldwide.

Cape Plumbago, Plumbago auriculata
Cape Plumbago, Plumbago auriculata

Get to Know Cape Plumbago

  • Plant type: Evergreen to semi-evergreen shrub or vine
  • Growing zones and range: Zones 9 to 10
  • Hardiness: Frost will blacken and kill leaves and damage growth tips, but the plant usually recovers.
  • Height and width: 6 feet (1.8m) tall, 8 to 10 feet (2.4-3m) wide; with support plant can be trained to 12 feet (3.6m) high.
  • Foliage: Light to medium green leaves 1 to 2 inches (2.5-5cm) long are elliptic or oval-shaped.
  • Flowers: White to light blue flowers 1-inch wide in phlox-like clusters; flower color is fixed and varies from plant to plant; if color is important, purchase plants in bloom.
  • Bloom time: Spring to fall; year-round in frost-free regions.
  • Uses: Good background and filler plant; use to cover bank, fence, or hot-wall; can withstand salt spray.
  • Common name: Cape Plumbago, leadwort
  • Botanical name: Plumbago auriculata (P. capensis)
  • Family name: Plumbaginaceae
  • Origin: South Africa
Cape Plumbago informal flowering hedge
Cape Plumbago informal flowering hedge

Where to Plant Cape Plumbago

  • Plant Cape Plumbago in full sun.
  • Plant Cape Plumbago in average to humus-rich, well-drained soil.
  • Where frost may occur, plant against a south-facing wall.
  • In cold winter regions, plant in pots that can be brought into a sunroom in winter.

When to Plant Cape Plumbago

  • Set container-grown plant in the garden in spring after all danger of frost is past.

Planting and Spacing Cape Plumbago

  • Space plants 8 to 10 feet (2.4-3m); a bit closer if growing as an informal hedge.
Cape Plumbago trained as vine
The whip-like stems of Cape Plumbago can trained upward as a vine.

How to Water and Feed Cape Plumbago

  • Keep the soil evenly moist; once established plants can tolerate some drought, however, supplemental watering will keep the plant full.
  • Fertilize Cape Plumbago in spring with an all-purpose fertilizer.

Cape Plumbago Care

  • Mulch around plants to conserve soil moisture.
  • Young growth blackens and leaves drop in heavy frosts. Prune out damaged growth after frost danger is past.
  • If growing upward, tie selected shoots to supports.
  • Move conservatory plants onto the patio in summer and indoors in autumn.

Grow Plumbago as a Houseplant

  • Grow Plumbago in average to warm temperature, direct light, and average humidity.
  • In winter, the temperature should be cool.
  • the medium should be soilless, well-drained, and kept evenly moist at all times in spring, summer, and allow. All the medium to dry slightly between watering in winter.
  • Fertilize once a month in spring and summer.
  • Prune the plants in winter before new growth starts, and use the prunings to root new plants.

Cape Plumbago Pests and Diseases

  • Whitefly may be a problem if grown in a greenhouse.

Cape Plumbago Propagation

  • Take semi-ripe cuttings in summer.
White flowers of Plumbago auriculata alba
White flowers of Plumbago auriculata alba

Cape Plumbago Varieties to Grow

  • Plumbago auriculata (formerly P. capensis). Grows to 5 feet (1.5m) tall and wide in five years; ultimately grows to 10 feet tall and 13 feet wide; terminal clusters of slender-tubed, sky-blue flowers a half-inch or more across in summer to early winter. Cultivar ‘Alba’ has pure white flowers.

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