Do plumbagos grow well in pots?
Enter the Cape plumbago (Plumbago auriculata), a charming, deer-resistant low-maintenance shrub hailing from South Africa. With its delicate clusters of blue flowers that pollinators adore, this versatile beauty can be planted as a rambling shrub, a climbing vine or even a statement-making potted plant. Plumbago will typically bloom spring through fall but can often bloom through mild winters. In colder winter seasons, plants will drop their leaves or even die down to the ground, but re-emerge from the roots the following spring.General Care & Growing Tips: Plumbago needs full sun for best growth and flowering. Apply a controlled-release fertilizer in early spring to encourage continuous growth and flowering. Excessive growth can be removed at any time during the year. Leaves may yellow on high pH soils.Cape plumbago can be grown as an annual, or in a container as a perennial, that is brought indoors and placed in a bright sunny room for the colder months. Water container plants sparingly in the winter. If treating as a perennial, cut back in late winter to encourage new growth for the upcoming season.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. Plumbago is a tough, low maintenance plant that requires no shearing or pruning.A plumbago plant can grow 3 to 4 feet tall and span a width of up to 5 feet. 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.
How quickly does plumbago grow?
One of the remarkable qualities of Plumbago is its rapid growth rate. Under favorable conditions, it can grow several feet in a single season, quickly filling in spaces with its lush foliage and vibrant blooms. 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.Though a fall knockout, plumbago is best planted in the spring. It spreads slowly from rhizomes that need time to get established before winter.Cape plumbago can be grown as an annual, or in a container as a perennial, that is brought indoors and placed in a bright sunny room for the colder months. Water container plants sparingly in the winter. If treating as a perennial, cut back in late winter to encourage new growth for the upcoming season.
What is the lifespan of a plumbago plant?
Under optimal conditions, blue plumbago can live between 5 to 10 years. The care it receives and the environment it grows in significantly impact its longevity, making proper maintenance essential for a thriving plant. It sounds like your Plumbago plant is suffering chlorosis which is a yellowing of leaf tissue due to a lack of chlorophyll. Possible causes of chlorosis include poor drainage, damaged roots, compacted roots, high alkalinity, and nutrient deficiencies in the plant.Symptoms include deformed flowers, discoloration, or stunted growth, which can be alarming for any gardener. The causes behind these issues often involve nutritional imbalances, disease, and inadequate light exposure. Identifying and correcting these problems is crucial for the overall vitality of your blue plumbago.Yellowing leaves and a wilted appearance can be your first clue that your Blue Plumbago is drowning in excess water. If the stems feel more like a squishy marshmallow than a sturdy twig, you’ve got a problem. Mushy roots are a dead giveaway for root rot, and soil that’s more swamp than substrate is a red flag.It may also be pruned heavily in late winter without reducing blooms for the upcoming season. If Plumbago foliage starts to yellow, it may be a symptom of manganese deficiency. This can be easily corrected by applying a fertilizer that contains manganese sulfate. It prefers slightly acidic soil.Symptoms include deformed flowers, discoloration, or stunted growth, which can be alarming for any gardener. The causes behind these issues often involve nutritional imbalances, disease, and inadequate light exposure. Identifying and correcting these problems is crucial for the overall vitality of your blue plumbago.
Where is the best place to plant Plumbago?
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. Better to grow them in large containers as patio plants or to dig up the dormant roots after pruning and bring them inside rather than risk a sharp early frost. For your plumbago, do one of two things–either plant it in the ground and mulch for the winter, or move the pot into the garage after a killing frost for winter protection.Plumbago will need to be protected from frost during winter, and ideally kept above 5°C. A heated conservatory or greenhouse are both ideal, or anywhere with plenty of bright light and warm temperatures.
How to care for plumbago in pots?
Plumbago will grow more slowly in a container, plus it will require periodic trimming to keep it to a compact size. Deadhead faded or spent blooms regularly throughout the growing season. Plumbago will be happy to climb a trellis (with a bit of help from you). It also reduces the plants’ usable landscape lifespan to 5 to 7 years. Plumbago only requires pruning to control its size.
Does plumbago need a lot of water?
Plant plumbago anytime of the year. It generally looks its best when planted in full sun and well-drained soil. Both species require regular watering until established but are moderately drought tolerant afterwards. Plumbago grows quickly but excess growth can be pruned off at any point throughout the year. Understanding how Plumbago’s root depth affects watering is crucial for plant health. With roots typically reaching 12-24 inches deep, they can access moisture from deeper soil layers, reducing the frequency of watering.