Cape leadwort
Plumbago auriculata
Also called Cape plumbago, Plumbago and Blue plumbago
Houseplant · FloweringNot the hardy plumbago in the border — that is a Ceratostigma and a different plant. This one is a scrambling conservatory shrub, flowers on new wood, and should be cut back by two-thirds in late winter or it becomes all stem.
Care at a glance
- Ease
- Medium
- Water
- Every 6 daysDrench and drain — water the whole surface until it runs from the holes.
- Light
- Bright, with several hours of direct sun
- Feed
- Every 21 days
- Humidity
- Low
- Hardiness
- Tender — no frost at all RHS H2, to 1°C
- Size
- 2 m tall · 1.5 m across
- Lifecycle
- Shrub
- Origin
- South Africa
Is it safe for pets and people?
No animal-poison authority lists this plant either way.
RHS category C — a skin irritant. Note the row is Plumbago proper and does NOT cover the hardy plumbago in the border, which is a Ceratostigma sharing the common name.
Checked against ASPCA and RHS on 2026-09-22.
A guide, not veterinary or medical advice. If a pet or a person has eaten a plant and you are worried, call your vet or doctor now — don’t wait for signs to appear. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
First signs of trouble
- Long bare scrambling shoots with a few flowers only at the very ends. It flowers on NEW wood — cut it back by two-thirds in late winter and it will flower down the whole length.All stem, no flower · disorder
- Small green burrs catching on sleeves whenever you brush past. The calyx is covered in glandular hairs; it is how the plant travels and it is not a pest.Sticky seed heads on clothes · disorder