WHEN TO SET OUTSIDE
Native to South Africa, this plant can be set outside after last spring frost.
PLACEMENT & CULTIVATION
Plumbago is a vining shrub adaptable to container culture and often chosen to winter indoors in northern areas. Where hardy, it is a lovely limped-blue ground cover or hedging plant and can be trained onto a trellis by tying. Be sure to select a container with good drainage, such as a large clay pot. Bring indoors just before fall frost and place in a sunny location and water when soil becomes noticeably dry. In late winter, cut the plant back to about 6-12" to encourage new growth. Alternatively, allow well-rooted mature plants to begin to go dormant in the fall. Their leaves will turn yellow, and during this time, withhold fertilizer and water very infrequently. Cut back to 1' and store in a cool (not cold), dark, and dry location, such as a garage or basement. By mid-March, they should be cut back hard, repotted into fresh soil, brought into bright light, watered, and fertilized to resume growth. In zones 9+, this perennial shrub may reach 20' high and 5' wide.
Watering Details:
Water when soil becomes visibly dry. Be sure to saturate the soil, allowing a bit of water to drain from the container.
Fertilizer:
Feed once per week during the growing season with a balanced organic, water-soluble fertilizer. No need to feed during winter.
Diseases & Pests:
If mealy bugs, spider mites, or whiteflies are present, treat with an insecticidal soap, neem, or other horticultural oil.