Cape plumbago (Plumbago auriculata)
Care, watering, light and tips for Cape plumbago on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Plumbaginaceae
- Difficulty: Easy to care for
- Watering: every 4 days
- Light: Partial shade
- Temperature: 10–30 °C
- Toxicity: Toxic to pets
About Cape plumbago
Plumbago auriculata, also known as Cape Plumbago or Cape Leadwort, is an evergreen climbing shrub native to South Africa, renowned for its delicate sky-blue flowers. Its long, arching branches make it ideal for covering walls, pergolas, or for cultivation as a flowering shrub in pots. Its abundant and prolonged blooming adds a touch of color and lightness to any garden or patio.
Native range
South Africa
Care tips
It requires full sun or partial shade for optimal flowering, and regular watering, especially in summer, keeping the substrate moist but not waterlogged. It prefers well-drained and slightly acidic to neutral soils. A common mistake to avoid is overwatering in winter, which can lead to root rot; it's also important to protect it from hard frosts, as it is not very cold-hardy.
How to save a dying Cape plumbago
- Warning signs
- Yellowish or whitish leaves, leaf drop, scarce or no flowering, weak and lifeless stems.
- First aid
- Check watering (never overwater, let surface dry), protect from intense cold, and ensure full sun.
- What kills it
- Overwatering (root rot) and lack of light. It doesn't tolerate frost, burns with sub-zero temperatures.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if roots are not completely rotted and green stems remain. It's a resilient plant, recovers well with proper care.