Want to Know about this Beautiful looking Flowering plant called Plumbago & its Caring Guide before that let me tell you it has over 18+ species and it comes from the Plumbaginaceae family which also known as leadwort or plumbago family. Most of the plants in this category are perennial means they keep coming every year and its name deduce from latin word “plumbum agere” means “lead to resemble ”. These plants are native to warm tropical regions like South Africa, South America, Madagascar, Costa rica etc.
How to Grow Plumbago
Growing plumbago is very easy and there are multiple locations where you can grow them and they can easily thrive there.
Plumbago grows in USDA Zone 9 to 11 depending on variety but Cape leadwort is hardy to zone 8 to 11. This shrub needs ample of area to grow and it can thrive in any landscape and a gardener doesn’t have any problem when growing them.
The best time to grow plumbago is Start of Nov to March End when there is winters you can keep it indoors and place them in bright areas. You can also grow them in Summer when the heat is good enough, which means June, July, August. The bright color depends on how good it receives the light and what environment it resides in, how is the soil and watering schedule.
Actually if you don’t know these flowering plants are frost free and are able to be evergreen most of the time throughout the year.
Yes, Cold can give this plant a hard time but they have recovered from harsh freezy winds and come back beautifully at the start of the spring.
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Growing them in Garden may also attract butterflies, birds as this gives good fragrance. And you will see flowering from spring to autumn most likely this is the time the plant looks gorgeous. People love to grow them in balcony also and having one such variety will benefit you as this can tolerate more harsh climate.
Plumbago Care
It’s easy to care for plumbago flowering plants and below I have explained all the aspects you should note down for better caring.
Light
Plumbago can be grown in both partial shade or full sun and it accepts the dark area but you might hardly get any blooms as flowering needs sunlight and energy to produce blooms.
Water
If you water plumbago daily in spring to fall it is likely to thrive best in that schedule, once winters come you should reduce watering but don’t stop and basically what I did is – In summer or winter I must check the top soil for dry because it avoids any issues related to root rot.
Soil
plumbago plant likes well drained fertile soil that can easily drain the water and it should be slightly acidic potting mix. So I used miracle gro potting mix best for blooms and colors.
Temperature
They tolerate sunlight so easily it is able to grow but with that you have to water it in time. In summers the best temperature for growing this plant is 64 to 69 degree F and on the lower side it shouldn’t go below 40-50 degree F.
Humidity
These plants love humidity and moist environment, plumbago is best grown when you water it regularly and spray some water. you can use a plate or saucer and put some pebble and water. It makes your room ideal for humidity for this plant.
Height
They can easily reach a height of about 1.2 to 2 meters when planted in a container or pot and if not pruned early.
Growth Rate
Plumbago growth rate depends on climate, Sunlight and fertilizer and the basic number would be about 55 to 70 cm or more per year. It can take other plant space if not pruned but you will prune it easily so no worries.
Is Plumbago an invasive plant?
No, Plumbago is not an invasive plant, It is a good shrub plant that spreads but not that much that you will call for help. It’s in your clear view and you can easily find time to prune it , it will not dramatically spread like a honeysuckle. You will also get the benefit of checking the blue flower and that makes it exotic flowering plant.
Propagation
Plumbago propagation is done with seeds but the fastest method would be to sprout roots is stem cutting & with seeds you can place that in at the end of autumn season colder climate winds started and for cutting you can do it in summer as they will get most in this season.
Pruning
Plumbago Trimming is done to protect the other plants as it can grab the gardening area quickly. Also If you prune and maintain its size and shape it results in healthy growth of plumbago.
You can also prune the entire 2/3 of the plant as they will sustain the weighted pruning but I advise you to only cut off those stems that are becoming big & having disease or it may be overgrown. Cutting every month or less one month will impact its foliage and overall growth.
Here is the Best pruner for Cutting Plumbago – Check Price on .
Buy Plumbago Auriculata
(Fertilizer)How do you keep plumbago blooming?
Use a good fertilizer or plant food to keep plumbago blooms and application can be given every 14 days or check the instructions for spring and other seasons. Only Give this fertilizer in the growing season or blooming time.
I used J R peters jack blossom plant fertilizer.
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Plumbago Leaves Turning Yellow
The plumbago leaves turning yellow could be because of chlorosis which causes loss of normal color of green leaves and due to iron deficiency. you can use this iron acidic fertilizer that can solve the problem.
How to Propagate Plumbago
The best method to propagate plumbago is using stem cutting and the other technique is root propagation. For Stem Cutting just Cut a 4-5 inch healthy stem and remove bottom leaves of plumbago about 2 inch, now use rooting hormone and apply on the stem base. Now Put this cutting in a fresh potting mix and moist it. In Few weeks you will see some root development.
I wanted to cover everything in this article but I thought it would be confusing so I Explained the 3 methods of plumbago propagation check.
FAQ’s
Do you cut back plumbago?
Plumbago is cut back to maintain its overall health and how it looks, appears and suits in the garden or landscape. It does attract butterflies with the blue, white flower having nectar in it but not beneficial for bees in florida, california. You can prune it 2/3 of its size to avoid any pests or diseases. Doing plumbago pruning in the growing season can revive its growth instantly.
Does plumbago come back every year?
Most people think that this plant needs pruning after it has bloomed, you can do it but the plant does that on its own. Otherwise cut down old diseased stems and shape it and if overgrown then trim it heavily and don’t worry it will come back next year in spring to fall.
Why is my blue plumbago dying?
Plumbago might die from too much cold and if in winters they are watered everyday it will cause root damage because there’s only water left in soil not air. Root will rot and this will lead to yellow to brown leaves so make a note and remember this in winters otherwise this plant will do well just reduce watering at that time.
Wrap up
I hope you get the answer on “Plumbago” Info and various other care aspects and if you want to read more such articles check below.
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