How should blue plumbago be cared for in winter to survive the cold safely?

Blue plumbago, also known as shan hui chai and false indigo (Henan), jiao zhu hua, etc., is a perennial upright herbaceous plant of the Plumbaginaceae family, genus Plumbago. Its flowers are elegantly light-colored, giving a cool feeling in the hot summer, and it can be potted to decorate rooms and balconies. So, how does blue plumbago overwinter?

1. How blue plumbago overwinters

When the winter temperature drops below 5 degrees, move the blue plumbago back indoors for care and cut off the aboveground branches. Winter can cause yellow leaves on blue plumbago; you can prune after spring begins, and before long more new shoots will burst forth. Blue plumbago should not be exposed to scorching sun; it requires a moist environment, and dryness is unfavorable to its growth. It has moderate drought tolerance and is best grown in sandy loam rich in humus with good drainage.

2. Potted blue plumbago management

1. Medium: pH 5.5~6.0. The planting depth should be just enough for the potting soil to cover the top of the plug seedling's root ball. A small amount of fertilizer can be added to the medium.

2. Temperature: the suitable growing temperature is 17℃~26℃, and it can tolerate up to 35℃. Strong light and higher temperatures favor branching.

3. Fertilizer: apply at least once a week 200~300 pa of a complete-element compound fertilizer.

4. Water: keep the medium surface dry in daily care. When watering, make sure to water thoroughly to prevent the EC value from being too high and the soil from becoming salinized.

5. Management: during the process of growing to a mature seedling, pinching is needed 2~3 times, and pinching can delay the flowering period by about 2 weeks.