Plumbago auriculata 'Alba' (Cape Plumbago)

Plumbago auriculata (Cape Plumbago) 'Alba' white flowers in a dense close up flower cluster

Plumbago auriculata (Cape Plumbago) 'Alba' with masses of small white flowers covering the green foliage.

Botanical name: Plumbago auriculata

Common names: Cape Plumbago, Cape Leadwort

Cultivar: Alba

Family: Plumbaginaceae

Origin: S Africa, Himalayas, China.

USDA Zone: 9-11

Plant form: Large bush

Mature height: 5-10 ft

Sun exposure: Full sun or bright light indoor

Cold tolerance: Tolerates light freezing to about 30°F for short periods (mature plants). Young plants must be protected.

Watering: Moderate

Flower color: White and off-white

Suitable for: Outdoors in the suitable USDA zone; small gardens, containers, and indoor growing

Wildlife: Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds

Blooms throughout the year with denser blooms from March to November. Plumbago is popular in both tropical and sub-tropical gardens because of its delicate flowers. It is by nature a woody climbing shrub - with support it can reach several ft in height - but in the tropics it is seen more often as a low plant used for hedges. It tolerates both drought and poor soil and does best at slightly higher altitudes; heavy rainfall tends to beat down the flowers and leaves. Plumbago does best in full sun and grows best if it is heavily pruned from time to time, even cut back to the ground. Propagation is from green cuttings or by division of older plants.

Learn more about Plumbago: Sky Blue Plumbago in Southern Landscapes.