Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants
Conservatory GreenhouseShrubs

Plumbago indica
  • RHS AGM

Indian leadwort

P. indica is an evergreen shrub of lax, scandent habit, with slender stems carrying ovate leaves and terminal racemes of deep rose-pink flowers 2cm across, in autumn or winter

Other common names
rosy-flowered leadwort
Synonyms
Plumbago indica rosea
Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
10–20 years
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Green
Autumn Pink Green
Winter Pink Green
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H1C
Botanical details
Family
Plumbaginaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Potentially harmful
Skin irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Genus

Plumbago can be annuals, perennials or scrambling evergreen shrubs, with simple leaves and short terminal racemes of salver-shaped flowers with 5 spreading lobes

Name status

Correct

Plant range
SE Asia

How to grow

Cultivation

Under glass grow in a loam-based potting compost in full light. When in growth water freely and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly. Water sparingly in winter. Can be grown outdoors in warmer climes in most fertile soils

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown at 13 to 18°C in spring or take semi-hardwood cuttings in midsummer with bottom heat. Softwood cuttings can be rooted in late spring or early summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Patio and container plants
Pruning

Pruning group 8

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite and glasshouse whitefly

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.