Plumbago (plum-BAY-go) is a genus of flowering plants in the Plumbaginaceae family with 10 to 20 species.
It is native to South Africa and grows year-round in the southernmost areas of Texas and Florida because of the similar climates.
The name plumbago derives from the Latin word plumbum, which means lead.
According to Pliny the Elder’s writings from the first century AD, the plant was supposed to be a remedy for lead poisoning.
Plumbago grows as an annual or herbaceous blooming perennial, depending on your climate.
The sprawling shrub has vining stems that can reach 6′ to 15′ feet and a width of 8′ feet.
Plumbago is a rounded, arching evergreen shrubby bush with broad leaves.
The flower calyx contains glandular trichomes (hairs) that secrete a sticky mucilage capable of trapping and killing insects, and the purpose of these trichomes is unknown.
The common names for this plant are:
- Plumbago
- Leadwort
- Cape leadwort
Quick Facts On Plumbago
- Family: Plumbaginaceae
- Light: Full sun
- Temperature: Vulnerable to frost
- Water: Evenly watered; soil moist but not wet
- Fertilizer: Apply 10-10-10 fertilizers every 2 weeks
- Propagation: Cuttings or seeds
- Common Problems: Whiteflies, spider mites, and aphids
Plumbago Care
How Big Do Plumbago Plants Grow?
Plumbago is a fast-growing plant that can reach 6′ to 10′ feet tall and wide, though it is usually kept smaller in North Florida landscaping.
After a freeze, plants die back to the ground, but they typically recover quickly in the spring, sprouting again from the roots.
When Do Plumbago Plants Flower? Are The Flowers Fragrant?
This fast-growing evergreen shrub blooms intermittently throughout the year, with more blooms in warmer temperatures. It requires full to partial sun to flower properly.
The Plumbago’s phlox-like blue or white blossoms attract butterflies and have a pleasant aroma.
What Are The Lighting Needs And Temperature Requirements?
Plumbago plant prefers full sun but will tolerate partial shade if you’re ready to give up some of the bloom.
You can grow Plumbago in your garden if your climate is mild enough.
However, Plumbago is susceptible to frost and will suffer if temps fall below 32° degrees Fahrenheit.
Plumbago loses its leaves in areas where freezing isn’t too severe (light frost). They blossom in the spring and grow back.
How And When To Water And Fertilize Cape Leadwort Plants?
A newly planted Plumbago should be watered twice weekly, depending on the weather, while the roots establish themselves in the landscape.
Weekly watering is sufficient after that. Six weeks after planting, the root systems are fully formed.
Apply flower plant fertilizer or shrub fertilizer every two weeks for maximum growth and blooming in the spring and summer.
Once your Plumbago has stopped blooming, stop applying fertilizer.
What Is The Best Soil For Cape Leadwort, And When Should You Transplant?
Plumbago prefers healthy, well-drained soil, like most plants, but it isn’t picky. So, where to grow Plumbago in your zone is simply a matter of where to dig the hole.
When the soil temperature is at least 50° degrees Fahrenheit, you can transplant a plumbago plant into your garden.
Here’s what you need to do:
- Dig a hole in a sunny spot in your garden.
- Fill it with a few inches of organic compost.
- Fill in the remaining space with soil and firmly press down the root ball.
- Water thoroughly to flush out any air pockets.
- Water every few days until the plant has established itself in the landscape.
Do Plumbago Leadwort Need Special Grooming Or Maintenance?
Blue Plumbago plants need to be pruned regularly to retain their shape and encourage bushy growth with many flowers.
Late winter or early spring is the best time to prune Plumbago’s trailing woody stems.
You can also undertake mild pruning to retain the shrub’s shape during the growing season.
Cut back stems by roughly one-third and cut just above a bud or lateral joint to prune a Blue Plumbago bush.
It’s ideal if you also cut back dead branches to the ground. Remove any leggy stems that detract from the form of the Plumbago.
How To Propagate Blue Plumbago Plants?
The best approach to propagate Blue Plumbago plants is to take stem cuttings in the summer.
Here’s how to do it:
- Using a 45° angle, snip a 4- or 5-inch woody section of stem.
- Dip the cut end in rooting hormone and place it in a tiny container filled with potting soil.
- Place in a warm, shady spot and cover with a plastic bag.
- To keep the soil moist, mist it frequently.
- The appearance of roots should take roughly four weeks.
- You can transplant the plumbago cutting into a larger container once it has roots.
- You can transplant the baby plant to your garden or a larger pot once it has grown well.
Plumbago Auriculata Pests And Diseases
Plumbago is resistant to most pests and illnesses, but whitefly infestations can be problematic.
Leaves shrink, become brown, and drop with a severe infestation. Whiteflies feed on the plant’s sap, weakening it over time. On the foliage, look for tiny white insects.
Spider mites create a variety of symptoms, including speckled leaves that wilt and become brown over time, eventually dropping from the plant.
There may also be visible gray or white webs. This problem is frequently solved by increasing irrigation to eliminate water stress.
Even though Plumbago is a tough plant, it is particularly susceptible to aphids.
Is The Plumbago Leadwort Considered Toxic Or Poisonous?
Plumbago Larpentiae is non-toxic, but Plumbago Auriculata is toxic to humans and pets. Contact with the sap, leaves, stems, and roots may cause skin irritation, blistering, and dermatitis.
Plumbagin, a toxic organic naphthoquinone derivative, is found throughout the plant, including the root.
Human death has also been documented after extensive usage of the sap as a therapeutic massage.
Is The Plumbago Plant Considered Invasive?
While the plant itself is not considered invasive, it proliferates quickly because of its rhizomes.
However, its growth is controllable by pruning during the year.
Plumbago Larpentiae Uses
Both plumbago species have spreading, mounded forms.
Pruning will keep them compact, but they look best when planted with plenty of space to develop.
As a result, most landscape designers prefer to use them as foundation plants or to disguise an unattractive wall or fence.
There are many ways to combine Plumbago’s gorgeous blue flowers and light green foliage in a landscape because it is a versatile shrub.
The long, climbing stems can cascade over walls, producing a white or blue waterfall impression with rich green leaves and stunning phlox flowers.
You can create a perennial flowering informal hedgerow by spacing plumbago plants between 6” and 12” inches.