Cape Laburnum Plant Care

Cape Laburnum (Virgilia oroboides subsp. oroboides) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Virgilia genus. Cape Laburnum is also known as Keurboom.

Cape Laburnum displays a tall, upright tree growth habit, reaching up to 30 ft tall with a spread of approximately 20 ft. Cape Laburnum produces showy clusters of pink, purple, or white pea-like flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Cape Laburnum every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Cape Laburnum thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Virgilia oroboides subsp. oroboides tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F. Cape Laburnum prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Cape Laburnum to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Cape Laburnum every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Cape Laburnum is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Cape Laburnum can spread to about 20 ft (6.1 m) and reach about 30 ft (9 m) tall. Space plants about 20 ft (6.1 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Cape Laburnum while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Cape Laburnum is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Cape Laburnum can be propagated through seeds, hardwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to keurboom plant care, which shares the same genus.

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Cape Laburnum is susceptible to aphids, leafhoppers, caterpillars. 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.

Cape Laburnum grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Cape Laburnum as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.