Blue Plumbago Care

Climate and Location

• Blue plumbago grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through 11. This plant blooms year-round in frost-free climates. In mild-winter areas, blue plumbago dies back with the first winter frost. Plant this flowering shrub in a spot with full sun, at least six hours a day or partial sun for four to six hours a day. This adaptable shrub grows well in clay soil or loamy sand and thrives in slightly acidic or alkaline conditions.

Planting and Spacing

• Plant blue plumbago plants 36 to 60 inches apart when planting multiple shrubs or space individual shrubs 36 to 60 inches from other plantings and structures. Plant year-round in zones 9 through 11. In zones 8, plant blue plumbago in spring after the last frost. Dig the planting hole the same depth as the nursery pot, so that the plant sits at the same depth in the soil as it did in the nursery pot.

Watering and Pruning

• Water the blue plumbago during the first season to keep the soil consistently damp. Once the plants are established, they tolerate some drought. For best growth and flowering, water it when the top of the soil starts drying out. Pruning during the growing season keeps this rambling shrub tidy. Clip each flower head from the plant as they fade. This encourages more flowers. Fertilize blue plumbago once a month using a balanced fertilizer. Stop fertilizing it in the late summer in frost-prone climates.

Plumbago in Containers

• Plant plumbago in planters and bring them indoors for the winter. Leave 1 inch between the top of the potting soil and the pot's lip for space for watering and fertilizing. Spread a ½-inch layer of mulch or gravel over the potting soil's top hiding the dirt. Prune the plants in the late fall and bring them in before the first frost. Keep blue plumbago in a bright, covered porch or room or in a greenhouse until the spring.