Why Is Your Plumbago Not Blooming? (Explained)

The plumbago with its blue flowers is a soothing addition to any garden. So naturally, we understand how upsetting it can be when your plumbago doesn’t bloom. 

So why is your plumbago not blooming?

Your plumbago might not be blooming due to environmental issues. These include the cold, dark weather, overwatering, aphids, and lack of nutrients. These reduce the ability of the plumbago to take up water and nutrients. Consequently, it puts them under stress which is why they won’t bloom.  

Now if you want to know more details, keep reading our article. We have covered all these concerns and their solutions just for you.

So let’s get started with the journey to a fully blooming plumbago!

Why Is My Plumbago Not Blooming And How Can I Help It?

 

Because of environmental reasons, your plumbago is not blooming. These can be the weather, pests, and deficiencies. Let’s learn more about them and how to solve these issues!

1. Lack Of Nutrients

This is the most common problem of the bunch. If your plumbago isn’t getting enough nutrients from the soil, it won’t bloom. 

You can identify this problem by looking at the leaves. The leaves will turn yellow if they are lacking essential nutrients like potassium and phosphorus. Thus, your plumbago won’t be nourished enough to support flower growth. 

Solution: Use A Fertilizer

For this, you need to buy fertilizer. Especially one that is rich in potassium and phosphorus. These minerals strengthen the roots and provide the nourishment needed for flowers to bloom. 

You can also make the fertilizer at home. Simply combine equal portions of lawn clippings and compostable items like vegetable scraps and peels in a bin. Cover the materials with a 2-inch layer of soil and let this sit for one week. 

You can then add this fertilizer to your plumbago. This should nourish the plant enough to help it bloom within a month or two. 

2. The Weather Is Too Cold And Dark 

Plumbago loves warm and sunny weather. Its optimum growing temperature ranges from 60-80℉. The plumbago also requires full and direct exposure to sunlight.

So, if it gets too cold, like anything below 50℉, it won’t bloom. Additionally, if your plumbago is in shade or it’s cloudy for long periods, it won’t open up fully.

Solution: Plant In Spring, Relocate During Winter

You need to track and plan your plumbago potting. When you see that average daily temperatures hold steady at 65℉, plant it outside. 

Regularly care for the plumbago by watering it and keeping it exposed to sunlight. When you see temperatures drop slowly to 55℉, relocate your plumbago indoors. 

Make sure it has support from artificial lighting like a tall lampshade with a bulb rated 50 Watts. For the time it doesn’t bloom, keep it under the lamp for 8 to 10 hours per day.

These tips will ensure that your plumbago will bloom. It will also keep your plant healthy throughout the year.

3. Overwatering And Swamping Roots

The plumbago plant cannot take over watering under any circumstance. It will lead to rotten roots. 

This way, the roots aren’t able to absorb enough water and nutrients from the soil. With fewer nutrients, your plumbago won’t be nourished enough to bloom.

Solution: Drain, Trim, And Water Regularly

The answer to this is simple. Firstly, you need to increase drainage in the pot. You can do this by repotting the plant.

While repotting, trim all the rotten roots. They will be brown while the healthy roots will be white. Ensure that the new pot has 4 holes and a layer of pebbles for drainage. 

Once you’re done with repotting, regularly water the plumbago. Do this every alternate day. Make sure that the water seeps in throughout the soil and no dry spots remain. 

4. Pesky Trouble With Aphids

Plumbago is no exception to pests. When aphids attack the plumbago, they will attack the stems and leaves. 

This leaves them with purple spots and makes the leaves look ashy. It also draws essential nutrients like magnesium and calcium that the plumbago needs to bloom. 

Solution: Make A Simple Repellant And Prune

Pruning your plumbago before spraying with the repellant will reduce aphid damage. Trim all the damaged leaves and spray the repellant on the plant. 

Firstly, you need to make a simple repellent that keeps the aphids away. For this, you’ll need some water, soap and vegetable oil. 

Mix 1 liter of water with 150 grams of grated glycerin or other organic soap. Once completely mixed, add a tablespoon of vegetable oil. Then add this mixture to a garden sprayer. 

If making your own repellent seems hectic, get one of the commercial ones! Confused about which one to get? 

Take a look at our options that will help you spray the repellent efficiently.

Well now that the aphids are out of the way, your plumbago will bloom in 2 months. 

With all of that mentioned, we’ve covered most ways to help your plumbago bloom. Now it’s up to you to keep them alive. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Why is my plumbago dying?

Answer: Your plumbago is dying due to disease or environmental factors. The diseases can be caused by pests like aphids. They can also die due to fungal growth. If the environment is too cold, the roots may freeze. This can lead to the death of the plant. 

Question: Does plumbago grow in shade?

Answer: Plumbago needs full exposure to sunlight. It can only tolerate diffused shade, like the shade provided by trees and bushes. However, blooming flowers will require as much full sunlight as they can get.  

Question: Why does my plumbago have yellow leaves?

Answer: Yellow leaves are a sign of deficiency. This is essentially a deficiency of iron and manganese that is directly dependent on soil. By tilling the soil and adding mulch, these deficiencies can be easily overcome. 

Take Away

That wraps up all there is about plumbago not blooming. By giving attention and addressing the environmental factors, your plumbago should bloom soon. We hope our tips help you and bring beautiful blue flowers soon. 

If it did, leave us a comment below. Till then, good luck with the blooms!