Coral Plume Plant Care
Macleaya microcarpa (Maxim.) Fedde
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Macleaya microcarpa is a species of flowering plant in the poppy family, Papaveraceae. It is a vigorous, substantial herbaceous perennial growing to 2 m (7 ft) tall by 1 m (3 ft) or more wide, with grey-green felted leaves and loose panicles of buff flowers in midsummer.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–75°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Coral Plume?
Water Coral Plume every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–75°F (16–24°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Coral Plume?
Coral Plume (Macleaya microcarpa) belongs to the Papaveraceae family within the Macleaya genus. Coral Plume is also known as Plume Poppy.
Coral Plume displays a tall, upright perennial growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Coral Plume produces showy spikes of small white flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 8 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Coral Plume?
Macleaya microcarpa requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Coral Plume Need?
Coral Plume thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Coral Plume Prefer?
Macleaya microcarpa grows best at temperatures of 60–75°F. Coral Plume prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–75°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Coral Plume?
Moist, well-draining soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Coral Plume to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Coral Plume?
Feed Coral Plume every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Coral Plume?
Repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Coral Plume?
Coral Plume can be propagated through division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to plume poppy plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Coral Plume Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Coral Plume, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Coral Plume?
Coral Plume is susceptible to aphids, slugs, snails. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Coral Plume Need?
Coral Plume grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. In cooler regions, grow Coral Plume as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Coral Plume is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Macleaya genus — compare its care with other Macleaya species on PlantoScan.
Macleaya is part of the Papaveraceae plant family — browse all Papaveraceae genera and species.
Coral Plume thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Macleaya microcarpa (Maxim.) Fedde, family Papaveraceae (first published in Beibl. Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 82: 45 (1905)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Coral Plume, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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