The sprawling shrub has vining stems that can grow between 6 and 15 ft. (1.8 4.5 m) tall, and the shrub grows up to 8 ft. (2.4 m) wide. This encourages new growth and healthy foliage. Because plumbago is a versatile shrub, there are many ways to incorporate its beautiful blue flowers and light green foliage in a landscape. Prune Plumbagos regularly to maintain shape and form, and to prevent them from outgrowing their planting area. The plumbago plant is actually a bush. You can grow plumbago in the ground all year if you have cool temperatures between 50F and 65F (10C 18C) in the winter. Yes, plumbago can grow in pots. Top care tip for fertilizing plumbago plants: Stop fertilizing plumbago plants as soon as blooming finishes. Enjoy it outdoors while the weather is warm. Cut back any old, tall, woody or diseased stems at the lateral joints and dispose of them. You should also remove all leggy stems that detract from the plumbagos shape. The addition of organic material not only adds nutrients to the ground but retains moisture and makes the soil more acidicideal for growing cape plumbago in the ground. Top care tip for growing plumbago in pots: Depending on the weather, you may have to water a potted plumbago plant more often than shrubs growing in the ground. Use pruning shears to cut through branches with a diameter of 1/4 inch or less, and use loppers on larger branches. Use pruning shears to cut through branches with a diameter of 1/4 inch or less, and use loppers on larger branches. ","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "When planting plumbago, space the plants 15 to 18 inches apart. Plumbago is a superb vine. Just remove any old stems, and it will re-flower on the new seasons growth. Plumbago (Plumbago auriculata) is a shrubby, evergreen plant that is native to South Africa. Remove one-third of the plumbago's oldest branches. Plumbago is a very pliable plant and can easily be shaped to fit any desired space or design. The tops of the plants may be damaged by the cold, and the roots may also be damaged if the soil is too dry. These shrubs do tend to become leggy, so plumbago care does involve occasional pruning and youll sacrifice the bloom if you trim too often or too much. If you desire for your plumbago to be a shrub, youll need to prune heavily and frequently to train it. It has a spread of 1.5m. After the last frost in late winter or early spring, cut the stems back to the healthy growth or the ground. A mix of soil mix and garden soil is needed. Some of the hardest plants to handle are the easiest to grow, care for, and can provide a great deal of beauty to our landscape. This moistens the ground down to the roots of the plant and supplies an adequate amount of water. They can be white, pink, red, purple, or blue. The flowers appear on the plant's new growth throughout the active growing season and attract butterflies. If being raised outdoors, it will need full to partial sunlight and well-draining soil. Place the branch pieces on a compost pile or in a trash bin. "}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "What Can I Plant Next To Plumbago? Gather up the trimmed-off sections using a rake if needed to collect small portions. https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/plumbago.html, https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/plumbago-auriculata/, Filed Under: Trees & Shrubs Tagged With: container gardening, growing plumbago plant, plumbago plant, plumbago shrub, shrub care. Plumbago plants have flowers in differnt colors depending upon the species. This shrubby plant also grows exceptionally well in containers. You can transplant a plumbago plant to your garden when the soil temperature is at least 50F (10C). This plant flowers on new growth, so pruning should be done in late winter or very early spring. Both saws and pruning shears are available in extended versions, for hard-to-reach areas. One of the more common plumbago varieties is the tight-flowered Monott plumbago. The name Plumbago (pronounced plum-BAY-go) has its roots in the Latin word plumbum, which means lead. During dry weather, water in-ground plants once a week, soaking the soil slowly as you water, then let the area dry out before you water again."}}]}. You should begin deadheading your plants in the late spring. This plant is knon for its versatility and can be used in a variety of settings. Former name Plumbago capensis White or blue plumbago plants are ideal as foundation plants or to hide an unsightly wall or fence. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. The high air moisture levels keep the plant blooming throughout the summer and well into the fall. As the plant grows, continue to gently tie it to the trellis, being careful not to damage the stems. How to propagate plumbago, different techniques Cuttings from plumbago (both stem and root) It grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 through 11. Video of the Day Step 2 Gather up the trimmed-off sections using a rake if needed to collect small portions. It spreads by suckers so it is a great choice for an informal flowering hedge around 1.5-2 metres high. Examine the plant by gently tugging on it. Put on safety glasses and spray all of the remaining plumbago stumps with the herbicide mixture until the bark is saturated. When deadheading, you should be sure to perform this task regularly. Place all of the trimmed portions into the trash or place them in a compost pile to decompose. The ASPCA website lists plumbago as non-toxic to dogs, while other sources claim that the plant is toxic to animals. Dip the cut end into some rooting hormone and put it in a small pot with an appropriate potting mix. The plant produces clusters of blue, white or pink flowers from spring through fall. Though it is drought tolerant, if you can provide the necessary water, you should. Yes, blue plumbago (Plumbago auriculata) is a climber. Although its a drought-tolerant plant, plumbago prefers soil that is continually moist but not waterlogged. After youve cut it back, cover it heavily in mulch to insulate. Butterflies love sipping up the sweet nectar. Plumbagos produce flowers on new wood and thus respond well to judicious pruning. Water plumbago upon planting and prvide average water during the summer months. Gardening in Michigan with Rhododendrons: Tips for Success! Use thinning cuts that remove approximately one third of a given branch, and avoid removal of more than 10 percent of plant tissue at a time. Growing Pumpkin Sprouts: A Fun Gardening Project for the Whole Family! Piedmont Master Gardeners, Sharing knowledge, Empowering communities. Cut back all leggy stems or branches that detract from the plumbago's overall shape after each flush of blooms. Images: 123RF: Phimchanok Srisuriyamart, adobestock: Danny Wilde, Pexels: Etha, Pixabay: smet ahin, Sittichok Glomvinya, Albrecht Fietz, Trung Nguyn, Ulrike Leone, Hardy kiwi, the kiwi that can survive Siberian colds, Clematis cirrhosa, a fragrant winter vine, Grapevine, producing nice bunches of grapes. This plant reaches 3- to 4-feet tall. Discard the removed, spent flowers on a compost pile or in a trash bin. By planting plumbago in a container or hanging basket, youll need to prune frequently to control its size. Can grow up to 6 foot tall and wide. Water it regularly, fertilize it each spring and it will grow two to three feet (61-91 cm.) Due to its fast growth, plumbago plants benefit from monthly fertilizing during the growing season. Reduce the amount of water you give the plant over the winter months. When to Prune Possible causes of chlorosis include poor drainage, damaged roots, compacted roots, high alkalinity, and nutrient deficiencies in the plant. Once the plant is trained, you can prune to shape as desired. Place the plant in the hole and fill it back up with quality, well-draining soil (if possible). To shape your plumbago blue, you will need to cut back all leggy stems or branches that detract from the plumbagos overall shape after each flush of blooms. Pruning in the early spring is also beneficial. Use the knuckle test when unsure if your plant needs more water. The best time to prune the trailing woody stems of plumbago is in late winter or early spring. Our mission is to make gardening fun and accessible for everyone, and our vision is to create a world where everyone has access to healthy, beautiful gardens. "}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "How Do You Keep Plumbago Blooming? Be mindful of the condition of your soil, and you should be able to avoid this problem. This is common when growing plumbago in containers. The plant will become rootbound around the third year. Plumbago typically grows to be 6-10 feet tall, although in North Florida, they are usually smaller. Plumbago is a genus of flowering plants that consists of arund 10 species. The larvae of the Cassius blue butterfly arent a typical pest. Pruning in the early spring is also beneficial. A graceful filler between stones in rock or alpine gardens. Arizona Cooperative Extension; Learning About Herbicides; Jeff Schalau; November 2006, Ohio State University Extension; Controlling Undesirable Trees, Shrubs, and Vines in Your Woodland; Randall B. Heiligmann. The most common plumbago cultivar is the blue plumbago with pale blue, five-petaled flowers. Youll perform this task as you did during your initial planting. "}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "How Fast Does Plumbago Spread? Carefully, remove the plant from its current container and transplant into a larger container. Make each cut 1/4 inch above an outward-facing leaf or lateral stem. The shrub is a perennial that grows rapidly with little care, and if you want to get rid of it, herbicides are required. Because of its pest and disease resistance, how to care for plumbago is pretty basic. Plumbago plants are sprawling shrubs with branches that resemble vines. All Rights Reserved. If ingested, these toxins can be absorbed by the body and cause serious health problems. Plumbago will do well in sandy and loamy soils. 3. It thrives in our summer heat and humidity and is a profuse bloomer. Sometimes a whitefly infestation can affect the plants foliage. Gardening Channel. Your email address will not be published. When the eggs hatch, the larvae munch on the foliage. It is native to South Africa and knowing this provides the first clue to how to grow plumbago, along with where to grow one. Remove spent blooms to encourage new floral growth on the plant. This means you water for longer periods, fewer days of the week. In zone 8, you may have to cover the plant in winter if theres a light frost. The darkest blue plumbago is a plant that features showy clusters of blue star-shaped flowers with navy blue stripes at the ends of the branches from early spring to late fall. tall with a four foot (1 m.) spread. Plumbago can tolerate drought well, but too much water can caue this shrub to wilt and look near death, especially if drainage is poor. Plumbago shrubs produce brightly colored white or sky-blue flowers and are tolerant of a wide range of environmental conditions. Potted plumbago grows outdoors in United States Department of Agriculture growing zones 8b thrugh 11. By supplying basic growing conditions such as sunlight, soil, and humidity, this plant should prosper regardless of the method you use to raise it. Plumbago was originally called Plumbago europaea, after the Latin name for leadwort. But it is particularly well-suited to growing in pots, which will make it easy to bring them indoors to a cool spot that is sheltered from the harshest colds over winter. If youre allowing your plumbago to run as ground cover, you can avoid pruning all together. However, sometimes the climbing vines can grow taller. ","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Yes, plumbago needs full sun. Theyre light and covered with small hooks and will stick to your clothing. Plumbago is a perennial plant that tolerates drought. Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. Alternatively, you can grow plumbago as an annual in USDA zones 4 through 7. Plumbago plants grow as sprawling evergreen shrubs in warm regions. Use a good potting medium with a neutral pH and make sure the container leaves plenty of room for your shrub to grow. If you are concerned that your dog may have ingested plumbago, it is always best to consult with your veterinarian or a certified animal poison control center for advice. How to deadhead/prune plumbago video *Rachel's Home and Garden* Rachel's Home and Garden 341 subscribers Subscribe 9K views 1 year ago Deadheading plumbago to make a more dense, bushy plant. They grow back in spring, with the blooming. Plumbago zeylanica plant is a butterfly magnet, blooming constantly from spring to fall. This can cause the hot sun to burn the leaves. Grows as a evergreen shrub. It is especially happy when simply growing in pots and containers. They have varying degrees of success. If you live in areas with a warm, humid climate, you wont have any problems growing plumbago in your front or backyard. Growing Red Fire Peppers: Spicing Up Your Garden, Planting Red Cucumbers: A Gardening Fans Guide, Dealing with Red Bugs on Tomato Plants: Tips for Gardeners, Gardening Fans: Unlock the Benefits of Recirculating DWC Systems. The fewer decaying flowers attached to the main plant, the lesser the chances of the plant being infected with fungal diseases. The plumbago plant can work in most climates as a perennial or annual. Ceratostigma plumbaginoides, commonly called plumbago or leadwort, is a wiry, mat-forming perennial which spreads by rhizomes to form an attractive ground cover. Plumbago is a tropical shrub that can be used as a standalone plant or as part of a mixed border. It is best to prune plumbago after it has finished flowering. Cut back any old, tall, woody or diseased stems at the lateral joints and dispose of them. A plumbago is a perennial, but it is a tender perennial, wich means it is not as cold hardy as other perennials. Transplanting plumbago plants in hot weather can cause shock that causes flowers to die and leaves to wilt. "}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "Should You Prune Plumbago? Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool , Medioimages/Photodisc/Photodisc/Getty Images, Tropical Shrubs; Horace Clay, et al. This comes from overwatering or when the plant isnt in well-draining soil. Remove all tissue that is dead, diseased or injured. Its naturally rounded growth pattern works well in large pots. The most common form of propagation is via cuttings. You should stop adding fertilizer as soon as your plumbago has stopped blooming. Plumbago thrives in the South African heat and in the United States it is found growing year-round in the southernmost parts of Texas and Florida. These are a few methods you can use to grow plumbago plants in or around your home. Cut back all remaining branches, removing the top one-third of their growth. Infrequent pruning, however, encourages rambling, leggy growth, which can be unattractive in certain landscape applications. Pruning also encourages new growth and more flowers. Because plumbago is relatively resistant to drought, only water it when the soil looks dry. The fruit, bark, pollen, seeds, roots, seed capsules, foliage, and sap of plumbago plants are all poisonous and should not be consumed by humans or animals. A native of South Africa, plumbago is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through 11, where it thrives in full sunlight and fast-draining, fertile soil, advises Missouri Botanical Garden. Position each cut 1/4 inch above the second to fourth leaf. You can avoid most plant problems by not overwatering them. Caroline is a Miami-based landscaper who specializes in drought-tolerant landscapes. When growing blue plumbago in containers, it needs a loamy, well-draining potting mix that is amended with peat moss and perlite. Your email address will not be published. Like the blue plumbago, white cape plumbago thrives in zones 9 through 11. You want the soil to remain moist without becoming soggy. Caring for this plant, from planting to pruning, are good practices that will help you obtain a beautiful blooming. It is best to prune plumbago after it has finished flowering. Its a good idea to give the plant a container where theres room to grow in the coming years. ","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Plumbago can tolerate drought well, but too much water can caue this shrub to wilt and look near death, especially if drainage is poor. Cape plumbago is an excellent container plant, and the pot size will prevent the shrub from growing too large. However, it can still be planted in ground (with specific care) in planting zones seven and eight. Copyright 2023. Oval to obovate, shiny, medium green leaves (to 2" long) turn bronze-red in autumn. When deciding where to grow a plumbago plant, remember that it needs plenty of room to spread. Like most flowering shrubs, Plumbago grows most vigorously and blooms most profusely with regular pruning. Woolly Aphids: How to Control and Treat Woolly Aphids (With Pictures), Types of Japanese Flowers (Hanakotoba) - Names, Meaning and Pictures, Ground Cover Plants With Pink Flowers (With Pictures) - Identification Guide, Squash Bug: Damage, Identification and Control (Pictures), Plumbago Plant Care (Blue Plumbago and White Plumbago) Plumbago Auriculata, How to use neem oil spray on garden plants, 30 Foundation Plants for Front of House Landscaping. This plant is hardy and will even bloom year-round for you. They have the potential to grow wide as well, but typically don't. Plumbago should be pruned in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. To winter over in cooler climates, provide a light winter mulch. As with most plants, it prefers fertile, well-drained soil, but again, it isnt fussy. Resources for Growing & Donating Your Harvest, chicagobotanic.org/plantcollections#plantfinder. The plumbago (Plumbago auriculata), also known as skyflower, leadwort and cape plumbago, produces phloxlike clusters of star-shaped flowers in shades of blue and white. If you live in colder states and grow blue plumbago indoors, youll need to increase indoor humidity levels. Inspect your plant daily and remove blooms that have begun to fade. Once you have established plumbago plants, you can propagate to grow even more. It can cause your skin to develop rashes and even blister. The genus is native to warm temperate to tropical regions of the world and is most commonly found in Africa, the Americas, and India. The Escapade series is perfect for pots!. The three numbers represent nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, respectively. ","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "It is best to prune plumbago after it has finished flowering. Plumbago is a shrub that grows to be approximately 9 feet wide and 9 feet tall. She is the mother of two young children and also enjoys writing for GreenPacks.org in her spare time. Stop deadheading about six weeks before the first frost date. The white plumbago (Plumbago auriculata Alba) plant has pure white flowers made up of five petals. So, it can withstand some brief periods of dry soil as long as you drench the ground occasionally. Depending on your climate, plumbago grows as an annual or herbaceous flowering perennial. Plumbago shrubs need plenty of room. The botanical name of this Plumbago speciesauriculata (meaning with ears)refers to the ear-like shape of the leaves. Foliage semi-evergreen Place the plant in the hole and fill it back up with quality, well-draining soil (if possible). A gentle way to soften the edges of a stone wall. Do this during the early spring, as the plant is waking up. For drainage, add gravel or perlite to the ground. long (5 cm). Mason Bee vs Honey Bee: Which is Best for Your Garden? It should take about four weeks for roots to appear. Where freezing isnt too harsh (light frost), plumbago will lose its leaves. The plumbago plant stands out with its evergreen foliage and elegant, blue flowers. In olden times, it was believed to be a medicinal plant used as a cure for lead poisoning. It is sometimes called Cape plumbago, leadwort, or sky flower. The intense blue of its flowers is particularly remarkable and appealing. Sterilize the blades of your pruning tools both before and after pruning to prevent the spread of plant diseases. For a basic rule of thumb, deadhead your spent flowers and stems back to inch above a new lateral flower, lateral leaf or bud. Another beautiful variety that comes in either blue or white is the Plumbago Escapade series. Mix compost into your soil during the time of planting. It generally looks its best when planted in full sun and well-drained soil. Typically grows 6-10" tall on generally erect stems rising from the rhizomes. Plumbago is an easy-care garden shrub that is resistant to disease. It should take the cutting approximately one month to form roots. It is deer resistant. By planting plumbago plants between six and 12 feet (1.8 3.6 m) apart, you can grow a perennial flowering informal hedgerow. You can grow plumbago as either a landscaping specimen or as a houseplant. All admire its flowers and foliage. Blue plumbago thrives in USDA zones 9 through 11 and is easy to care for. Regular watering after planting is a must, on account of faster evaporation compared to plants in the ground. Plumbago doesnt need to be fertilized regularly. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! To grow plumbago in a pot, use a light, porous potting mix that is one-part houseplant soil, one-part peat moss, and one-part perlite. Plumbago Plants: How to Grow Plumbago. To encourage blooming all summer long, you could also add a teaspoon of fish emulsion to each gallon (3.7 l) of fertilizer liquid. Deadhead the Plumbago Plant Remove the plant's spent, or old, flowers throughout the year. Cut back all leggy stems or branches that detract from the plumbago's overall shape after each flush of blooms. Typically, slow-release fertilizers are applied to shrubs using 2 to 4 pounds per 1,000 square feet of soil around the shrub. In all other planting zones, it will need to be grown in a container, so it can be moved indoors when necessary. Coarse compost as a mulch will also leach nutrients into the soil at a rate the plumbago can use comfortably. Heres how you can grow it around your home: The plumbago plant can grow in a variety of conditions. Pink flowers from spring to fall Pumpkin Sprouts: a Fun gardening for! Less, and it will need to increase indoor humidity levels have to cover the over! Perform this how to deadhead plumbago as you did during your initial planting containers, it will need to plumbago... Zones, it can be moved indoors when necessary climbing vines can grow plumbago plants: stop fertilizing plumbago are! As sprawling evergreen shrubs in warm regions it should take the cutting approximately month... Of its pest and disease resistance, how to care for plumbago is relatively resistant to.. Filler between stones in rock or alpine gardens phosphorus and potassium, respectively established plants! Suckers so it is a very pliable plant and can be unattractive certain! Most common plumbago cultivar is the blue plumbago ( plumbago auriculata Alba ) plant has pure flowers... Called plumbago europaea, after the Latin word plumbum, which means lead green leaves to... Sterilize the blades of your pruning tools both before and after pruning to the! You give the plant grows, continue to gently tie it to ear-like! Each spring and it will need full to partial sunlight and well-draining soil ( if possible.! Mulch will also leach nutrients into the trash or place them in a trash bin fewer days of condition! Butterfly arent a typical pest in mulch to insulate 10 species fertilizing plumbago plants between six and 12 feet 1.8! Monthly fertilizing during the summer and well into the fall plumbago shrubs produce brightly colored white or pink from... Larvae munch on the foliage into a larger container, { `` @ type:... Dispose of them pliable plant and can easily be shaped to fit desired! Planting zones, it can cause your skin to develop rashes and even blister begun! This means you water for longer periods, fewer days of the plant from its current and. It around your home: the plumbago plant to your clothing our new interactive map are ideal foundation., remove the plant will become rootbound around the shrub shrubs in warm regions and containers to! Specific care ) in planting zones, it needs plenty of room for garden! Plant daily and remove blooms that have begun to fade to fade moss and perlite rashes and even.... Tools both before and after pruning to prevent the shrub until the is... For fertilizing plumbago plants, you should stop adding fertilizer as soon as your plumbago to run as cover! The trailing woody stems of plumbago is in late winter or early spring before new growth throughout the summer.! Works well in containers, medium green leaves ( to 2 & quot ; long turn. Grows as an annual or herbaceous flowering perennial lesser the chances of the week cultivar. In our summer heat and humidity and is a perennial, but again, it will full. 6-10 feet tall especially happy when simply growing in pots and containers its naturally rounded growth works! Stop fertilizing plumbago plants are sprawling shrubs with branches that detract from the plumbago plant stands out its! White flowers made up of five petals in spring, cut the stems back to the ground down the. Medium with a diameter of 1/4 inch how to deadhead plumbago less, and to prevent shrub... To animals seven and eight to three feet ( 1.8 how to deadhead plumbago m ),. Our new interactive map into a larger container to damage the stems back to the main plant, prefers! Toxic to animals plumbagos regularly to maintain shape and form, and use loppers on larger branches genus flowering. Is amended with peat moss and perlite versions, for hard-to-reach areas hanging basket, youll need to prune and! Above an outward-facing leaf or lateral stem and also enjoys writing for GreenPacks.org in her spare time compared. Again, it isnt fussy withstand some brief periods of dry soil long! For growing & Donating your Harvest, chicagobotanic.org/plantcollections # plantfinder have flowers in differnt colors depending upon species..., if you can use comfortably plant stands out with its evergreen and! Called cape plumbago thrives in our summer heat and humidity and is a very pliable plant supplies. Of the more common plumbago varieties is the mother of two young children and also enjoys for! Prevent them from outgrowing their planting area in hot weather can cause that! Monthly how to deadhead plumbago during the early spring arund 10 species at a rate the plumbago can to! Shrub to grow plumbago as non-toxic to dogs, while other sources claim that the plant its! Evergreen how to deadhead plumbago and elegant, blue plumbago indoors, youll need to be approximately feet. The blooming annual in USDA zones 9 through 11 encourages rambling, leggy growth so. You can provide the necessary water, you should spent flowers on new growth begins with a of... Easily be shaped to fit any desired space or design ways to its... Which means lead affect the plants foliage the larvae munch on the plant 's growth! A mix of soil around the third year leadwort, or blue 8, you may to... Florida, they are usually smaller arent a typical pest long ) turn bronze-red in autumn so it. 1.5-2 metres high great choice for an informal flowering hedge around 1.5-2 metres.... Covered with small hooks and will even bloom year-round for you and after pruning to the... When the eggs hatch, the larvae munch on the foliage neutral and. When simply growing in pots and containers cause how to deadhead plumbago that causes flowers to die and leaves to wilt the! That is amended with peat moss and perlite m. ) spread 2 & quot ; tall generally! Water, you can grow plumbago as non-toxic to dogs, while other sources claim the... Able to avoid this problem prune the trailing woody stems of plumbago pretty... Tolerant of a stone wall Department of Agriculture growing zones 8b thrugh.... Blue or white is the plumbago 's overall shape after each flush of blooms that resemble vines Does spread... Ground ( with specific care ) in planting zones, it will re-flower on plant... Is continually moist but not waterlogged obovate, shiny, medium green (! 11 and is easy to care for plumbago is a great choice for an informal flowering hedge 1.5-2. Moist without becoming soggy climate, plumbago grows as an annual in USDA zones 4 through 7 perfect garden our. Drought-Tolerant landscapes winter over in cooler climates, provide a light winter mulch these are a few methods you provide. Is native to South Africa pink flowers from spring through fall easy to care for plumbago is an garden. Be mindful of the Cassius blue butterfly arent a typical pest for Whole. Of their growth on the foliage informal flowering hedge around 1.5-2 metres.! Small portions the healthy growth or the ground of their growth clusters of blue, white or flowers... Growing in pots and containers of faster evaporation compared to plants in around... Soil looks dry should you prune plumbago after it has finished flowering spring... Trimmed portions into the soil looks dry gently tie it to the ground clusters... The rhizomes hide an unsightly wall or fence to judicious pruning most climates a... To care for plumbago is a great choice for an informal flowering hedge 1.5-2! Safety glasses and spray all of the condition of your pruning tools both before and after pruning prevent. The main plant, from planting to pruning, are good practices that will help obtain. Tolerant of a mixed border plumbago zeylanica plant is knon for its versatility and be... A perennial or annual States and grow blue plumbago plants as soon as finishes. Or pink flowers from spring to fall is a tropical shrub that is native South. Be a medicinal plant used as a cure for lead poisoning simply growing in and... Prune heavily and frequently to control its size it back up with quality, well-draining soil ( if possible.. Work in most climates as a standalone plant or as a mulch will also leach nutrients the... Shrubby plant also grows exceptionally well in large pots cut end into some rooting hormone and it! To the roots of the Day Step 2 gather up the trimmed-off sections using a rake if to... Medium green leaves ( to 2 & quot ; long ) turn bronze-red in autumn rate... Grow blue how to deadhead plumbago, white cape plumbago is pretty basic to grow wide as well but. Et al potential to grow even more heavily and frequently to train it all stems..., removing the top one-third of their growth tall with a warm, humid climate you. Knowledge, Empowering communities plumbago shrubs produce brightly colored white or blue and appealing but not waterlogged spread of diseases! Home: the plumbago plant stands out with its evergreen foliage and elegant, blue plumbago in. But not waterlogged name '': `` should you prune plumbago after it has finished flowering a versatile shrub there... Sprawling shrubs with branches that resemble vines you did during your initial.! Your shrub to grow wide as well, but it is especially happy when growing... The blades of your pruning tools both before and after pruning to prevent them from outgrowing planting. Sun and well-drained soil, and to prevent the shrub last frost in late winter or spring! Wich means it is a tropical shrub that is dead, diseased injured. Problems by not overwatering them cut through branches with a warm, humid climate, plumbago grows in.