Plumbago zeylanica, known across India as White Chitrak, is a sprawling evergreen perennial shrub native to the Indian subcontinent. It produces slender, semi-climbing stems and bright green oval leaves, topped through much of the year with spikes of pure white, five-petalled flowers carried on sticky, glandular calyces that cling to passing animals and clothing.
Exceptionally tough and drought-tolerant once established, it thrives in the hot plains of India and flowers freely in warm weather. It is widely grown both as an ornamental for hedges, borders and pots and as a traditional medicinal plant, its pungent root (Chitrak) being a classic Ayurvedic digestive remedy.
Specifications
| Family |
Plumbaginaceae |
| Native region |
Indian subcontinent, Sri Lanka and tropical Asia |
| Mature height |
0.6-2 m |
| Mature spread |
0.6-1.5 m |
| Growth rate |
Fast |
| Foliage |
Evergreen, simple ovate green leaves |
| Flower colour |
White |
| Flower season |
Mainly monsoon to winter; can flower much of the year in warm regions |
| Climate zone |
Tropical and subtropical; suits most of plains India |
Care guide
| Sunlight |
Full sun to partial shade; flowers best in 4-6 hours of direct sun |
| Watering |
Moderate; water when topsoil dries. Drought-tolerant once established, avoid waterlogging |
| Soil / mix |
Well-drained sandy-loam soil; tolerates poor soils. Add compost for better blooming |
| Temperature |
Thrives at 20-38 C; tolerates Indian summer heat. Protect from hard frost |
| Humidity |
Adapts to both dry and humid conditions |
| Fertilizer |
Apply balanced fertilizer or compost once a month during the growing season |
| Pruning |
Prune after flowering to keep bushy and dense; tolerates hard cutting back |
| Repotting |
Repot every 1-2 years in spring when roots fill the container |
| Propagation |
By stem cuttings, root cuttings or seed; cuttings root easily in the warm season |
| Pests & problems |
Generally pest-resistant; watch for mealybugs and aphids on new growth |
| Toxicity / safety |
Toxic. Root and sap contain plumbagin and can cause skin irritation, blistering and gastrointestinal upset if ingested; keep away from children and pets |
| Difficulty |
Easy |
Uses
<ul><li>Ornamental flowering shrub for borders, informal hedges, and large containers</li><li>The dried root (Chitrak) is a classic Ayurvedic medicine used as a digestive and appetite stimulant</li><li>Hardy choice for low-maintenance and water-wise Indian gardens</li><li>Attracts butterflies and pollinators to the garden</li></ul>
Growing tips
<p>Plant at the onset of the monsoon (June-July) when cuttings establish fastest in the warm, moist soil. Choose a sunny, well-drained spot for the heaviest flowering.</p><p>Water moderately through summer and cut back watering in winter. Prune lightly after each flush of bloom to maintain a compact, bushy shape, and feed monthly with compost during the growing season for continuous white flowers.</p>