The Cape Leadwort (Plumbago) is a gorgeous exotic plant that’s used to tropical vibes. While it usually loves our sunny summer days, it’s definitely not built to handle a chilly winter outdoors. If you want to keep yours happy, you’ll need to have a game plan ready by the time autumn rolls around.
Taking a Gamble Outdoors
If you happen to live in a wine-growing region or another particularly balmy area, you might be able to get away with leaving your Leadwort in the ground during a mild winter. But if you’re going to try it, you’ve got to do two things: give it a radical pruning in the fall and wrap it up tight with a thick layer of garden fleece or frost cloth.
Bringing Your Plants Indoors
For most of us, the safest bet is bringing the Leadwort inside. The cool thing about this plant is how flexible it is with light. It’s just as happy in a bright sunroom as it is in a dark basement. The real key is the temperature. If you’re keeping it in a bright spot, aim for about 45°F to 55°F (7–12°C). If it’s going into a dark cellar, it prefers it a bit chillier—somewhere between 37°F and 46°F (3–8°C).
Winter Care Tips
Just because it’s “resting” doesn’t mean you can totally forget about it! Your Leadwort still needs a little TLC during the off-season. Here’s your winter checklist:
- Give it a heavy prune in the fall.
- Check thoroughly for any hitchhiking pests.
- Skip the fertilizer entirely and go very easy on the water.
- Pluck off any wilted leaves regularly.
Pro tip: Life is much easier if you keep your Leadwort in a container rather than planting it directly in the garden bed—that way, you don’t have to dig it up every year. Just remember to give it some fresh potting soil at the end of February to get it energized for the new growing season!
