Full Sun
Easy care
Moderate watering
Tender
10b
USDA zone
2°C
Minimum temperature
Expected size
Height | Spread | |
|---|---|---|
4m | Max | 3m |
3m | Min | 2m |
1 years to reach maturity
Flowering
spring
summer
autumn
winter
This plant has no fragrance
More images of Plumbago
Plumbago Overview
A popular reliable, resilient garden shrub with light blue trumpet shaped flowers. Flowering mainly from November to May and attracts butterflies. Its sticky flowers are used by children to make earrings. As a traditional medicine is can be used to treat warts, broken bones and wounds, is used as a snuff for headaches. It can be used as a hedge and it may be best to prune to keep it tidy. Can be grown in full sun to semi-shade. The dark blue variety is called "Royal Cape" in nurseries in South Africa. Cape Leadwort is indigenous to South Africa and its distribution ranges from the Southern Cape, Eastern Cape and into KwaZulu-Natal. Also found in areas of Gauteng, Free State and North West Province. There is also an isolated distribution in Mpumalanga.
Common problems with Plumbago
Hardy with little defects or insect pests.
Plumbago Companion Plants
How to harvest Plumbago
Pick as needed.
How to propagate Plumbago
Seed
Sowing time is in autumn. Sow 3m apart and place a thin layer of soil over the seeds. Do not sow deep in the soil. Germination should be more or less one month.
Cuttings
Cuttings can be used but is less successful when compared to suckering. Use semi-hardwood or hardwood cuttings and place in well-drained river sand till roots have formed.
Suckers
This is the best way to propagate the Cape Leadwort. Cut the sucker with roots and stem off and plant in the desired area.
Special features of Plumbago
Attracts birds
Birds, like the Robin, will visit your garden in flowering time.
Attracts useful insects
Cape Leadwoth is visited regularly by butterflies which could also serve as a pollinator for other plants.
Pot plant
Make sure the soil is rich is compost and water regularly if placed in full-sun.
Hedge plant
This is the main use of this wonderful plant. You can prune the Cape Leadwoth in winter to encourage flowering. The plant does produce suckers, so take this into consideration when planting.
Attracts butterflies
Drought resistant
Wind break
Other uses of Plumbago
Can be grown in pots and containers
Medicinal
As a traditional medicine it has been reported that Cape Leadwoth has been used to treat warts, broken bones and wounds, is used as a snuff for headaches.
Decorative Hedge
Grows quickly into a dense hedge of medium height.
