Growing Plumbago Plants - How To Care For A Plumbago Plant

These sturdy shrubs make great container plants. Use a good potting medium with a neutral pH and make sure the container leaves plenty of room for your shrub to grow. Enjoy it outdoors while the weather is warm. Water it regularly, fertilize it each spring and it will grow two to three feet (61-91 cm.)

1. Should you cut back plumbago?
2. Does plumbago like sun or shade?
3. When should plumbago be cut back?
4. How do you take care of a plumbago plant?
5. How do you keep plumbago blooming?
6. Does plumbago die in winter?
7. Is Plumbago fast growing?
8. Do butterflies like plumbago?
9. What soil does plumbago like?
10. Can you cut plumbago to the ground?
11. Why is my blue plumbago dying?
12. Does plumbago grow from cuttings?

Should you cut back plumbago?

Plumbago can be pruned to keep it neat and within bounds and to make it bushy to maximize the number of flowers. It produces its flowers on the current season's growth, so you can prune plumbago in late winter and not worry about cutting off flower buds.

Does plumbago like sun or shade?

Hardy in USDA zones 5 to 9, plumbago does best in full sun. It does tolerate light shade but tends not to bloom as well in shade as it does in full sun.

When should plumbago be cut back?

Plumbago can even be trained up a trellis. I cut mine back, too, in late winter /early spring, then lightly trim it on occasion during the long summer months. Fall pruning will encourage new growth that will be more vulnerable to an early freeze.

How do you take care of a plumbago plant?

It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Plumbago blooms on new growth so the primary pruning should take place in early spring and you should gently prune as needed through the growing season to maintain its health and shape. If spaced correctly the shape of the shrub will be that of a cascading fountain.

How do you keep plumbago blooming?

Fertilizing plumbago

For the best growth and an abundant blooming, add flower plant fertilizer or shrub fertilizer every two weeks in spring and summer. Stop adding fertilizer as soon as your plumbago has stopped blooming.

Does plumbago die in winter?

This perennial shrub blooms all year and only ceases flowering during winters that are extremely cold within its growing range of USDA hardiness zones 8 through 11. In USDA zone 8, where freezes and frosts are more likely, blue plumbago dies to the ground, but resprouts when the weather warms in spring.

Is Plumbago fast growing?

Plumbago grows fast and has the potential to reach 6-10 feet tall and wide, although these plants are typically smaller in North Florida landscapes. Plants die back to the ground after a freeze, but are typically quick to recover in spring, growing back from the roots.

Do butterflies like plumbago?

A favorite of butterflies, plumbago also is one of the most popular flowering shrubs in Central and South Florida gardens. It is very fast-growing, has few problems and is almost always smiling. Plumbago does best in light, sandy soils with good drainage.

What soil does plumbago like?

The new growth rather than the older stems will produce the most flowers. Plumbago can be grown outside in full sun in well drained soil in milder areas but you may well lose them in a cold winter.

Can you cut plumbago to the ground?

Depending on the specialized and individual climate of your garden, you might consider how to grow a plumbago plant in the ground. Again, you'll have to cut it back after the first frost and blanket the area with heavy mulch, but in the spring, your plumbago plant will re-emerge to bloom from summer to fall.

Why is my blue plumbago dying?

The plumbago may be too cold at its roots and be receiving insufficient light to use the water you're giving it. When roots are too cold or in soil that has more water than air, they die and begin to rot. Chronic root rot can cause leaves to wilt then brown and die, while still attached to the stems.

Does plumbago grow from cuttings?

Plumbago propagates easily from seeds, cuttings and offset divisions, which all perform best when started in summer. However, specific plumbago cultivars such as Royal Cape (Plumbago auriculata 'Royal Cape') must be propagated vegetatively to ensure the resulting plants possess the same characteristics as the parent.