While the plumbago cultivar ‘Imperial Blue’ was my first must-have flowering shrub years ago, I wanted to mix-up my plant palette with its bright white alter ego called ‘Alba’. Mixing blue and white flowers is a natural win in the landscape.
Originally native to South Africa, the white plumbago is a good-sized, sprawling, fast growing evergreen perennial shrub known for its mounds of flowers; in this case white in contrast to the more popular blue blooms. This shrub can flower year-round with most flowers produced spring through fall. At a glance, the clusters of white flowers will remind you of phlox flowers. Great in foundation plantings or in containers, plumbago make the biggest splash where their flexible branches can cascade over a retaining wall. Plant four to six feet apart in mass plantings or as a colorful groundcover. As long as you plant plumbago in full sun and well-drained soil, they are not overly fussy about soil conditions. Once established, plumbago are moderately drought-tolerate. In our high pH soils, plumbago leaves may yellow due to the unavailability of certain nutrients, so apply micronutrients accordingly.
Plumbago shrubs can grow up past six feet tall and wide, so occasional selective pruning will keep them in bounds. Do not over-prune during the growing season as this will often reduce flower production. To promote new growth, prune this shrub relatively heavy in late winter around March. Although hardy in our area, frosts or freezes can nip plumbago back a bit as well. Even if it were frozen back to the ground, the plumbago will more often than not, grow back without a problem.
While the most common the white-flowering cultivar is ‘Alba’, you may also find ‘Escapade White’, a more compact type especially good for pots. You can also run into a white plumbago called ‘Monite’ White, a patented cultivar named ‘White Cape®’, and one identified as ‘Miami’ White.
While plumbago have very few pests, chili thrips used to be a huge problem. These minute insects infested plumbago and made maintenance difficult at best leading to a non-ornamental mess. The good news is that this insect problem seems to have abated and leveled off in our area as natural predators have built up to suppress chili thrips to a point where damage is minimal to none. One additional item to note is that plumbago have what are called chalk glands on the underside of their leaves. This white deposit is natural and should not be confused with a fungus or other pest – just a normal abnormality!
Consider white-flowering plumbago – a true Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ recommended plant – in your landscape for color, eye-appeal, and variety! For more information on flowering shrubs suitable for our area, or to ask a question, you can also call the Master Gardener Volunteer Helpdesk on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 1 to 4 pm at 764-4340 for gardening help and insight into their role as an Extension volunteer. Ralph E. Mitchell is the Director/Horticulture Agent for UF/IFAS Extension Charlotte County. He can be reached at 941-764-4344 or ralph.mitchell@charlottecountyfl.gov. Connect with us on social media. Like us on Facebook @CharlotteCountyExtension and follow us on Instagram @ifascharco.
Resources:
Gilman, E. F., Klein, R. W. & Hansen, G. (2024) Plumbago auriculata Plumbago, Cape Plumbago, Sky Flower. The University of Florida Extension Service, IFAS.
UF/IFAS Blogs (2017) Q: I have several plumbago shrubs in my yard but one of them is white. Do I have a mutation? The University of Florida Extension Service, IFAS – Nassau County.
Landre, C. (2025) Blue Plumbago. https://www.south-florida-plant-guide.com/blue-plumbago.html
Caldwell, D. (2007) Extension Service: Thrips: They’re not picky eaters, and they’re coming our way. The University of Florida Extension Service, IFAS – Collier County. Naples Daily News.
The Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Guide to Plant Selection & Landscape Design (2022) The University of Florida Extension Service, IFAS.
Nature & Garden (2025) Plumbago varieties, colors and climbers galore! https://www.nature-and-garden.com/gardening/plumbago-varieties.html .
King’s Greenhouse (2025) Plumbago ‘Escapade White’. https://kingsgreenhouse.com/Plant-Name/Plumbago-auriculata-Escapade-White.
Urban Tropicals ( 2025 ) Miami White Plumbago. https://urbantropicals.com/product/miami-white-plumbago-plant-plumbago-auriculata/
SiteOne Landscape Supply (2025) Plumbago Auriculata White Cape/ Cape Leadwort. https://www.siteone.com/en/88957b-plumbago-auriculata-white-cape-cape-leadwort/p/721058?srsltid=AfmBOooSK4I4xIv6vpOfJ2Z6_OpwO30M8_7TDOQ_3Cf9jWL7IJ7hJwZ8.
2025 MONROVIA NURSERY COMPANY (2025) White Cape® Plumbago. https://www.monrovia.com/white-cape-plumbago.html?srsltid=AfmBOopt2e6v71sIWEqvnMNZBnfI3ItisDtLfHyOYuOd0kC1pnHkKdAO.
Lamborn, A. R. (2013) Plumbago – Plumbago auriculata. The University of Florida Extension Service, IFAS – Baker County.
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