FNPS Plant Database
Plumbago zeylanica
Nomenclature
Common Name:
Synonym(s):
Genus species:
Family:
Plumbaginaceae
Plant Specifics
Form:
Size:
Life Span:
Long-lived perennial
Flower Color:
Fruit Color:
Phenology:
Noted For:
Landscaping
Recommended Uses:
Considerations:
Availability:
Propagation:
Light:
Moisture Tolerance:
Always Flooded---------------------------------Extremely Dry
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Usually moist, occasional inundation -to- Somewhat long very dry periods
Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:
Unknown
Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:
Moderate. Tolerant of salty wind and may get some salt spray.
Soil or Other Substrate:
Sand, Lime Rock
Soil pH:
Suitable to Grow In:
9B,10A,10B,11
USDA zones are based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature.
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Vouchered In:
Ecology
Wildlife:
Larval host for Cassius blue.
Attracts butterflies, moths, and bees.
Native Habitats:
Comments:
Ethnobotany:
General Comments:
This species is grown primarily for its use as a butterfly plant. It is not as showy as the commonly grown introduced plumbago.
This species has a pan-tropical distribution.
Citations:
Gann, G.D., C.J. Abbott, C.G. Stocking, K.N. Hines, and collaborators. (2001+). Natives For Your Neighborhood. ( https://www.regionalconservation.org/beta/nfyn/plantdetail.asp?tx=Plumzeyl ). Accessed 2026. The Institute for Regional Conservation. Delray Beach, Florida.
Wunderlin, R. P., B. F. Hansen, A. R. Franck, and F. B. Essig. (1999+). Atlas of Florida Plants. ( https://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/ ). [S. M. Landry and K. N. Campbell (application development), USF Water Institute.] Institute for Systematic Botany, University of South Florida, Tampa.
