Plumbago is a tropical genus of woody shrubs, but it can be grown in the southern part of the United States. It is a member of the leadwort family (Plumbaginaceae). The genus is native to the tropics and warm temperate zones worldwide. The genus name is compounded from Latin words plumbum ("lead") and agere ("to resemble"). The name may allude to the lead-like blue flowers of some species, the leaden blue stain caused by the sap or the belief that it could cure lead poisoning Species in this genus can be grown as houseplants, woody or herbaceous perennials, and groundcovers. The plants can spread through underground stems and often form mats in the landscape. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: It can cause contact dermatitis so wear gloves when handling the plant.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Canopy layer
5 - Groundcover
Form & Appearance
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Green leaves that can turn red in the fall.
Fall color
Red/Burgundy
Flower color
Blue; Red/Burgundy; White
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Panicle; Raceme
Flower shape
Tubular
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
5-parted flowers with spreading lobes appear in the late spring or early summer. The calyx is covered with glandular hairs that secrete a sticky substance.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
Tropics & Subtropics
Attracts
Butterflies; Hummingbirds
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Hanging Baskets; Houseplants; Patio
Design feature
Accent; Border; Mass Planting; Specimen
Garden tags
#groundcover #blue flowers #interiorscape #shrub #houseplant #flowers late spring #flowers early summer #tropical #contact dermatitis #perennial #tropical feel #tropical shrub