Plumbago zeylanica is not as well-known as the more commonly available and robust P. auriculata, but is a lovely, more horizontal version that tolerates far more shade and manages to thrive under trees, and in other difficult areas in the garden, such as retaining walls, pavements and embankment slopes. Wind resistant and drought hardy, although it will thrive with regular applications of compost mulch and a bit more water. It grows relatively fast, and is a long-lived, perennial shrub that will also do well and flower best in full sun to lightly dappled shade.

Plumbagos can be propagated from seed, cuttings and suckers. 

Plumbago zeylanica is easily propagated from seed. Sow seed in spring in seedling trays. Use a seedling growth medium mix which is finely textured and well drained. Cover the seeds lightly with the growth medium. Do not allow the tray to dry out. The seeds take about 3–4 weeks to germinate and if both ends of the seeds are nipped off before sowing, germination can be improved to almost 100%. 

The easiest method of propagation is to remove rooted suckers from the mother plant, pin the elongated stems into the ground as they grow along, and 2 weeks later remove the piece of rooted stem and replant.

It can also be propagated by cuttings. Take stem cuttings; use a semi-hardwood rooting hormone for better success. The best time is in spring or summer when cuttings can root in as little as 3 weeks. Place cuttings into a medium that consists of equal parts peat, river sand and perlite; if possible, place cuttings in an enclosed area under a mist spray with bottom heating to 23–25ºC for best results. Then, wait for a bit of new stem growth and roots to be visible, before potting up. 

Plant both mature seedlings and rooted suckers or cuttings out into small containers until well grown and then transfer to larger containers, or plant in the garden into a well-drained soil. Keep the plant moist for the first couple of weeks after planting. Once established, much less watering is required.

P. zeylanica can be untidy in the garden, scrambling along and into other neighboring shrubs, so when mature, prune back whenever necessary. It tolerates a hard prune annually and comes back lush and compact. Best time to prune is in late winter. When kept short, it can be used as a groundcover or trimmed into a small, low-growing hedge.

Relatively pest and disease free but do remember beneficial insects use it as a forage food and so the individual leaves might occasionally look a little tatty, which is worth it if you are committed to supporting biodiversity in your garden.