Plant Care Guide

Loropetalum ‘Plum Delight’

Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum ‘Plum Delight’

Loropetalum ‘Plum Delight’ is prized for its rich burgundy foliage and bright magenta fringe-like blooms that appear through spring and sporadically throughout the warm season. This evergreen shrub is adaptable, low-maintenance, and reliably colorful; even in challenging landscapes.

Watering Requirements

Plum Delight Loropetalum prefers consistently moist, well-drained soil, especially while establishing. Once mature, it becomes fairly drought-tolerant.

Watering Schedule

  • Newly planted shrubs: Water deeply 2–3× per week for the first 2–3 months.
  • Established shrubs: Water once weekly, or only during prolonged drought.
  • Containers: Check soil more frequently; allow the top 2–3 inches to dry before rewatering.

Signs of Overwatering

  • Yellowing leaves
  • Wilting despite wet soil
  • Soil that stays soggy for days

Signs of Underwatering

  • Browning or crispy leaf tips
  • Dull, limp foliage
  • Premature leaf drop

Pro Tips

If your Loropetalum’s foliage begins turning yellow AND soil feels consistently wet, check drainage immediately. Poor drainage is the #1 cause of decline in this cultivar.

Light Requirements

Plum Delight grows best in part sun to part shade, ideally with morning sun and afternoon shade. It can tolerate full sun, but extreme afternoon heat may lighten foliage or cause mild scorch.

Best Exposure

  • 4–6 hours of sunlight for strongest burgundy color
  • More shade = greener foliage
  • Too much harsh sun = faded or bronzed edges

Pro Tips

If the plant’s foliage looks more green than purple, it’s likely receiving too much shade. Gradually increase sunlight exposure to restore its deep plum coloration.

Soil & Potting

Plum Delight performs best in slightly acidic (pH 4.5–6.5), well-draining soil. Avoid alkaline soils—they cause chlorosis (yellow leaves).

Ideal Soil Conditions

  • Loamy, rich, and well-drained
  • Amended clay soil is acceptable if drainage is improved
  • Mulch to retain moisture and regulate temperature

Container Planting

  • Choose a pot 8 inches wider than the root ball
  • Use high-quality potting mix with perlite or pine bark
  • Ensure excellent drainage

Pro Tips

If leaves are yellow with green veins, don’t reach for fertilizer first—test soil pH. Loropetalum responds dramatically to correcting alkalinity.

Fertilizing

Loropetalum is not a heavy feeder but benefits from occasional nutrition.

How to Fertilize

  • Apply a slow-release fertilizer in early spring
  • Choose formulas for acid-loving shrubs
  • Avoid winter fertilizing

Signs of Nutrient Issues

  • Pale, washed-out foliage
  • Weak new growth
  • Yellowing caused by pH imbalance (most common)

Pro Tips

If growth seems slow or pale, don’t increase fertilizer, increase acidity. Loropetalum responds best to pH correction, not heavier feeding.

Pruning & Maintenance

Plum Delight needs minimal shaping but responds well to post-bloom pruning.

How to Prune

  • Prune immediately after spring flowering
  • Light shaping keeps the canopy dense
  • Remove dead or damaged branches anytime

Avoid

  • Winter pruning (removes next year’s blooms)
  • Severe pruning late in the year

Pro Tips

Always wait until after the main spring bloom flush. Loropetalum flowers on old wood, so early pruning = fewer blooms.

Common Problems & Solutions

Yellowing Leaves

Cause:

  • Alkaline soil
  • Overwatering
  • Poor drainage

Solution:

  • Test and lower pH
  • Improve drainage
  • Water less frequently

Browning Leaf Tips

Cause:

  • Underwatering
  • Excess sun in hot climates
  • Over-fertilizing

Solution:

  • Deep weekly watering
  • Add mulch
  • Flush soil if fertilizer burn is suspected

Sparse Foliage or Weak Color

Cause:

  • Too much shade
  • Nutrient lockout from high pH
  • Old, unpruned growth

Solution:

  • Increase light
  • Correct soil acidity
  • Prune lightly after bloom

Plant Looks Declined or “Dead”

Cause:

  • Severe root rot
  • Prolonged overly wet soil
  • Insufficient sunlight

Solution:

  • Allow soil to fully dry between waterings
  • Improve drainage
  • Relocate to brighter light

Pro Tips

Plum Delight has one “tell”: foliage color reveals the exact problem.

  • Greenish leaves = too much shade
  • Yellow leaves = improper pH or overwatering
  • Brown tips = underwatering or excessive heat

Use color as your first diagnostic tool every time.