Cape Leadwort
Plumbago auriculata
A scrambling, evergreen shrub featuring slender green stems, oblong to spathulate leaves, and clusters of delicate phlox-like sky blue to royal blue flowers.
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade, ideally 6 or more hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal blooming.
- Water
- Water deeply when the top few inches of soil become dry. Once established, it can tolerate brief periods of drought, but continuous moisture promotes better flowering.
- Growth
- A sprawling, scrambling evergreen shrub that can grow 3 to 10 feet tall and wide depending on support and pruning.
Care instructions
Provide full sun to partial shade, well-draining soil, and regular watering during the growing season. Prune back in late winter or early spring to encourage dense growth and heavy flowering.
Growing details
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade, ideally 6 or more hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal blooming.
Watering
Water deeply when the top few inches of soil become dry. Once established, it can tolerate brief periods of drought, but continuous moisture promotes better flowering.
Soil
Well-drained sandy, loamy, or clay soils with a neutral to slightly acidic or alkaline pH range.
Hardiness zone
USDA zones 9 to 11, grown as an annual or container plant in cooler climates.
Growth habit
A sprawling, scrambling evergreen shrub that can grow 3 to 10 feet tall and wide depending on support and pruning.
Bloom season
Blooms continuously from late spring through autumn, producing terminal clusters of light blue to deep azure-blue flowers.
Propagation
Propagated easily through semi-hardwood cuttings taken in summer or by dividing root suckers in spring.
Common pests & issues
Generally trouble-free, though occasionally affected by aphids, mealybugs, or whiteflies. Ensure good drainage to prevent root rot.
Similar species
Plumbago indica (which features red flowers) and Plumbago zeylanica (which features white flowers).