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Frost tender, prefers a warm wall to grow against in cooler climates or can be used as a house plant in a cool conservatory
Apply a balanced fertilizer twice during the growing season. Faded blooms should be pruned in late winter as plumbago blooms in current season growth.1
Plumbago makes a very good informal or formal hedge as it responds well to pruning. It will flower profusely after being cut back or after a growth flush, as it bears flowers on new wood. It may need to be cut back after winter to keep it tidy, even if this is only done every few years. Plumbago will scramble into trees if allowed and, depending on the size and style of your garden, you may need to control it. It is very useful in large gardens and landscapes as it forms suckers and will cover fairly big areas. It is fast growing, drought resistant and rewarding and will grow in any soil but will perform best if planted with plenty of compost. Plumbago is somewhat frost tender but will quickly re-grow if damaged.2
Watch for whiteflies, spider mites and mealy bugs on indoor plants4.
Plumbago does best in light, sandy soils with good drainage. Do not add lime to the soil; plumbago likes a slightly acidic pH. The foliage may turn yellow due to manganese deficiency, but applying manganese sulfate will cure that. Plumbago should be pruned heavily to keep it neat and within bounds and to make it bushy to maximize the number of flowers.
Plumbago is propagated easily from seed, cuttings and suckers. Sow seed in spring (or keep at 20dC) in seedling trays. Use good seedling mix and cover the seeds lightly. Do not allow to dry out. Germination is erratic.2 May be easily grown from seed, but plants generally will not flower until the second year.4
The easiest method of propagation is to remove rooted suckers from the mother plant.2
Try to aim for a seed spacing of at least 1.62 feet (50.0 cm) and sow at a depth of around 0.08 inches (0.2 cm). For optimal germination, soil temperature should be a minimum of 20°C / 68°F.Prefers fertile well drained soil in sun or partial shade. Or grow on in a pot for a cool conservatory. Can be trained around an obelisk secured to the top of the pot
Cape Leadwort is tender, so ensure you wait until all danger of frost has passed in your area before considering planting outside - as a guideline, the minimum temperature outside should be approximately 5°C / 41°F.These estimates for how long Cape Leadwort takes to sprout, grow and harvest are from real observations from real gardeners, right around the world.
Average 13 days | Min 13 days | Max 13 days (1)
Average days | Min days | Max days (0)
Average 11 days | Min 6 days | Max 554 days (2)
The genus name Plumbago is derived from the Latin plumbum meaning lead – referring to it being a supposed cure for lead poisoning2. Auriculata means ear shaped and refers to the leaf base. Plumbago auriculata was known as P. capensis, which was the name given by the botanist, Thunberg in 1794. However, the plant had already been named auriculata by Lamarck in 1786 in what was known as the East Indies where it had been taken as a garden plant! The Dutch East India Company trade routes included the Cape and this was most likely how the plant reached the East Indies.2
Plumbago is used as a phytoremediator for lead and cadmium.3
Children often make “earrings” with the sticky flowers – letting them stick to their earlobes (there are sticky, gland tipped hairs on the flower calyx)2.
This plant usually used in traditional medicine in India, like treating wounds, broken bones, and headache.3 In African traditional medicine, Plumbago is used to treat warts, broken bones and wounds. It is taken as a snuff for headaches and as an emetic to dispel bad dreams. A stick of the plant is placed in the thatch of huts to ward off lightning.2
Skyflower, Leadwort, Blue plumbago, Plumbago, Cape plumbago, sky flower
Plumbago capensis