Plumbago auriculata (common names blue plumbago, Cape plumbago or Cape leadwort), syn. P. capensis, is a species of flowering plant in the family Plumbaginaceae, native to South Africa.[1][2]
It is an evergreen shrub, often grown as a climber, ascending rapidly to 6 m (20 ft) tall by 3 m (10 ft) wide in nature, though much smaller when cultivated as a houseplant.[3] It has light blue to blue flowers and also variations with white (P. auriculata var. alba) or deep blue (P. auriculata 'Royal cape') flowers. The leaves are a glossy green and grow to 5 cm (2 in) long.[2][1] Plumbago grow best in full sun to part shade.
The specific epithet auriculata means "with ears", referring to the shape of the leaves.[4]
In temperate regions it may be grown outside in frost free areas, otherwise under glass. The species[5] and the white-flowered form P. auriculata f. alba[6] have both gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.