Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_22.gif)
Friday - August 06, 2010
From: Mission, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Non-Natives, Diseases and Disorders, Shrubs
Title: Need some help with a Plumbago plant in Mission, TX.
Answered by: Jimmy Mills
QUESTION:
Hello..I live in south South Texas and have a plumbago. It gets about 4 to 5 hours of direct sun and lately some of the branches and leaves turn bright green almost yellow. Am I over watering or is this common the first year of the plant. I figure it might just be in shock considering I transplanted it seven months ago. Can you tell me what I might be doing wrong or need to do?ANSWER:
It sounds like your Plumbago plant is suffering chlorosis which is a yellowing of leaf tissue due to a lack of chlorophyll. Possible causes of chlorosis include poor drainage, damaged roots, compacted roots, high alkalinity, and nutrient deficiencies in the plant. Nutrient deficiencies may occur because there is an insufficient amount of a particular nutrient in the soil or because the nutrients are unavailable due to a high pH (alkaline soil). Overwatering can contribute to the problem.
This link from University of Illinois Extension contains an informative discussion of the problem of chlorosis in plants. Click here for a news paper column from the St. Petersburg Times discussing the treament of chlorosis specifically in Plumbago.
For a source of help closer to home, contact the folks at the AgriLife Extension office in Hidalgo County.
More Non-Natives Questions
Liriope spicata for erosion and dust suppression from Bonifay FL
August 16, 2011 - I want to plant Liriope 'spicata'. I know it can be aggressive and that's what I want. We live on dirt road and need something by road for help in erosion and it's also hard to mow this are...
view the full question and answer
Frost damage to Mexican palm and non-native Sago palm in Austin
February 01, 2010 - I have frost damage to the leaves on my mexican palm tree which is about 12 feet high. Can I cut back all of the damaged leaves and what month?
Also, Sago palms have some frost damage on the upper...
view the full question and answer
Repotting non-native Agave ghiesbreghtii from Spring TX
June 03, 2012 - I've recently purchased an Agave ghiesbreghtii, and will need to re-pot it soon.
I have some cactus soil mix as well as a few rocks to put in the bottom of its new pot. There seem to be roots comi...
view the full question and answer
Non-native lavendar to repel scorpions in Austin
August 02, 2010 - We are having a problem with scorpions in our home. A lot of them. I have heard that lavender around the doorways and windowsills will keep them out. Is this true? If so..what form? Certain species, l...
view the full question and answer
Groundcovers to choke out invasive species in Virginia
June 08, 2015 - My yard has open woods and dappled light with clay soil. Thirty years ago we removed huge briars and since English Ivy was getting in by itself, we thought we would let it come; unfortunately, it not ...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |