Plumeria is best known for its fragrant, exotic, and showy blooms. It is a collection of tiny deciduous trees or shrubs. Plumeria blossoms, which range in color from white to yellow to pink to red and multi-color, are linked with the Pacific islands like Hawaii. The gigantic, leathery leaves that adorn the lovely decorative tree from spring till fall are also well-known with plumeria trees.
Frangipani is another name for plumeria trees. The dogbane family, Apocynaceae, includes the tropical trees. Deciduous trees, shrubs, and plants are all categorized as Plumeria. USDA zones 9 through 12 are ideal for the magnificent flowering trees. Florida, the Caribbean, Pacific islands, Mexico, and Central America are all home to plumeria trees.
Frangipani trees, which may reach 20 feet (6 meters) in height, are a moderate to rapid-growing plant. The exotic trees grow to between 6 and 8 feet (1.8 and 2.4 meters) tall in most tropical and subtropical garden landscapes. Sunlight, well-drained soil, water, and fertilizer are all that plumeria trees need.
The shrub-like plumeria tree may seem like a group of branches protruding from the ground because it loses its leaves in the winter. The plant’s lovely foliage and stunning plumeria blooms arrive in the spring to add a tropical feel to any outdoor setting. Growing a plumeria tree in your garden is covered in this article. Decide on the finest frangipani to plant by looking at and reading about popular plumeria kinds.
How to Grow Plumeria Plants
Plant a plumeria tree in full sun and well-draining soil to care for it. Frangipani trees grow in any soil, whether in pots or the ground. Never water the soil in the winter when it is dry. Fertilize throughout the season, and in the spring, trim back.
Plumeria Flower
Plumeria blossoms are the most alluring feature of this tropical deciduous tree, with 5 petals. Blooms are five-petalled stars that have a lovely or spicy fragrance and come in a variety of colors. At the ends of branch stems, clusters of stunning waxy tubular blooms bloom.
A single Plumeria plant can produce up to 200 blooms. Tropical plumeria blossoms have been compared to sweet peaches, oranges, and jasmine by some. Coconut, sweet roses, honeysuckle, ginger, and lemon are among the most powerful smelling plumeria types. Plumeria flowers, on the other hand, have a distinct fragrance that varies depending on the species or cultivar.
Plumeria blossoms produce a more pungent fragrance at night, which is unusual. The plant is thought to be pollinated by sphinx moths that have been attracted by this. Plumeria blossoms, on the other hand, don’t make honey. Pollinated blooms, on the other hand, generate dangling two-horned seed pods. In the ground or in containers, frangipani trees and shrubs may be expected to bloom for six months.
Creating a Hawaiian lei, or floral garland typical on pacific islands, is the most popular way to employ plumeria blooms. Visitors, dignitaries, graduates, friends, or loved ones are welcomed with plumeria pink blooms strung together and worn around their necks.
Plumeria Colors
Plumeria blooms come in a variety of hues, including white, yellow, pink, and multicolored. White, yellow, deep pink, and multi-color frangipani blossoms may have a sweet or spicy aroma. White petals with brilliant yellow centers, for example, are the most unusual plumeria color combinations. With hues of orangey-yellow, it might be deep pink or magenta.
Plumeria Leaves
Large plumeria leaves might be ovate or spatula-shaped blades with pointed or rounded tips, depending on the species. The veins on plumeria leaves running from the midrib to the margins are usually prominent and raised. 12″ to 18″ (30 – 45 cm) long and 8″ to 12″ (24 – 30 cm) broad, these leaves are large.
The species of plant determines the form of plumeria leaves. Most plumeria tree species, such as the Plumeria rubra, lose their leaves during the winter. Nonetheless, the Plumeria obtusa and Plumeria pudica are two of the few evergreen plumeria tree species.
Plumeria Seed Pods
A two-horned seed pod develops from a pollinated plumeria blossom. Like an inverted “V,” these bean-like pods hang down. The 8″ (24 cm) long brown pods are pointed at one end, much like a banana. Between 20 and 60 winged seeds are found in each stiff, leathery pod.
Plumeria Fertilizer
When planted in the ground or pots, plumeria trees benefit from fertilization. For plumeria trees, however, flowering shrub fertilizer is the best type of fertilizer. In the spring, summer, and autumn, apply a high-phosphorus shrub fertilizer to ensure excellent development and abundant blooms for best plumeria bloom.
Look for a high “P” number on the NPK when purchasing plumeria fertilizer. Fertilizers with NPK ratios like 10-30-10, or “Hawaiian Bud and Bloom” 5-50-17, or “Bloom plus” 10-54-10 are examples of recommended “bloom boosting. During the growing season, apply fertilizer every two to three weeks. Reduce watering and stop fertilizer applications in the middle of the season. In the spring, when new growth emerges, you can begin watering and fertilizing again.
Top tip for fertilizing plumeria plants: You’ll promote excessive foliage growth and the plant will become leggy if you employ too much nitrogen.
Plumeria Cutting Propagation
Taking stem cuttings in the spring or summer is the most foolproof way to grow a plumeria tree. First, cut a 12″ to 18″ (30-45 cm) length of healthy branch with a sharp knife. Make sure there are no ragged edges in the cut. After that, leave the trimmed plumeria branch to cure for a week in a shady, well-ventilated area, creating a callus on the end. You may also store the plumeria in wet coconut coir for two weeks.
Fill a big pot with one-part potting soil and two-part perlite after the callus has formed. Plant the plumeria cutting 6″ (15 cm) in the earth with the cut end dipped in rooting hormone. Before watering the plant again, water the ground and let it dry out. To promote fast, healthy development, place the plumeria in a sunny location. The frangipani cutting should have taken root in two to three months.
How to Propagate Plumeria from Seed Pods
Harvested seeds from the plumeria tree may be used to grow new plants. The pods of plumeria should be dried and withered before the seeds are harvested. You could wrap nylon pantyhose around the seed pods as they begin to look brown in order to ensure you collect the seeds. This also means that you won’t lose any seeds when the pods burst to open.
You may either plant seeds directly in the ground or in a suitable pot to grow a plumeria tree from seed. Sprinkle the seeds over moistened earth with the wings pointing upwards, about 0.2 inch (0.5 cm) deep. To increase humidity and heat, cover the pots with plastic.
Germination time ranges from one to four weeks. You can move the new plumeria plants to a bigger pot when the seedlings have developed a few leaves. gradually expose the plants to full sun. While the newly-growing plumeria plants grow, it’s also important to maintain the soil moist without becoming waterlogged.
Growing Plumeria in Pots
Little plumeria trees suitably grown in pots are lovely. Nonetheless, your only option to cultivate a plumeria tree or shrub is in a pot, where you must keep the plumeria plant indoors over the winter if you reside in a temperate region. Frangipani grows well in containers and can bring the tropics to your outdoor patio, deck, or summer garden.
Potted plumeria trees need a huge pot with a coarse, well-draining planting soil blend to thrive. One-part potting soil, one-part perlite, and one-part coarse sand is a perfect combination. Crushed granite or calcined clay may be used in lieu of sand. It’s also critical to include drainage holes in the container.
Water a plumeria plant in pots thoroughly until it drains out from the bottom to ensure it is cared for. Before watering again, wait until the top half of the soil has dried. During the growing season, you may need to water a potted frangipani at least twice per week.
In winter, though, you don’t have to water the plants. A plumeria potted shrub is a big feeder and requires frequent feeding because to the excessive blooming. As a result, Hawaiian plumeria plants require a high-phosphorus fertilizer. From spring through fall, apply the fertilizer every three to four weeks.
How To Grow Plumeria Plants Indoors
If they get at least four to six hours of sunlight every day, it is possible to grow a potted plumeria shrub indoors. Water the potting soil when it gets low. Plumeria plants should have a temperature range of 64°F to 80°F (18°C to 27°C) and an average humidity level in their indoor environment. A plumeria growing indoors throughout the season must be fertilized on a regular basis.
Varieties of Plumeria
Let’s take a closer look at two of the most popular plumeria cultivars for garden landscapes:
Plumeria pudica
Plumeria pudica Flowers are white with yellow centers and large dark green, ovate leaves. It is an evergreen tropical plant with brilliant white flower clusters and large black green, orogate leaf clusters. This tall, upwardly spreading crown forms a vase shape and grows between 6 and 15 feet (1.8 and 4.5 meters) tall. Unfortunately, the blossoms aren’t scented.
The white petals with yellow centers and 3″ (7.5 cm) wide of the Plumeria pudica are a profuse bloomer with trumpet-like flowers. The huge, glossy green leaves with an unusual spoon shape or fiddle shape contrast with the attractive tropical flowers. The plumeria is known as fiddle-leaf plumeria because of its leaf shape.
Other names for the Plumeria pudica include bridal bouquet and white frangipani, as the leaves have an unusual shape.
Plumeria rubra
Plumeria rubra is an unusual deciduous tree with pink or white blossoms that has a distinctive yellow center. It has yellow flowers. The frangipani tree has clusters of large leaves that range in size from 12 inches to 20 inches (30 to 50 cm) long. The Plumeria rubra grows from 5 to 25 feet (2 to 8 meters) tall depending on the growing conditions.
Pink flowers with yellow centers or pure white flowers with yellow centers are commonly seen in Plumeria rubra. The five petals are 2″ to 3″ (5 – 7.5 cm) in diameter and are arranged in a star pattern.
Obovate or elliptic plumeria rubra leaves have a pointed end. The glossy green leaves become red in the autumn and drop. Red frangipani, temple tree, red paucipan, red-jasmine, and common frangipani are some other names for Plumeria rubra. The frangipani is popular in garden landscapes because of its fragrant, showy, and pleasantly aromatic flowers. Citrus, cinnamon, or sweet rose are all scents of plumeria flowers.
How to Grow Plumeria (Frangipani Tree) in the Garden
Now, let’s take a look at some helpful guidelines for growing frangipani trees in your yard.
How to Use Plumeria in Landscapes
As a backdrop for smaller shrubs, the best way to grow a plumeria tree is. The tree’s long bloom period and impressive height make it a excellent choice for adding tropical flair to your yard. A plumeria tree, or its spreading growth could also be used to conceal a wall or fence at the corner of the house.
Where to Plant Plumeria
In the brightest section of your garden, plant a plumeria tree. The land should be fertile and drain well. You will, however, need to fertilize plumeria trees on a regular basis, regardless of the condition of the soil. Outside in containers, you can grow frangipani trees in colder areas. You should then bring the heat-loving plant indoors to overwinter when the weather drops below 64°F (18°C). It’s a good idea to space plumeria plants at least 4 feet (1.2 meters) apart to prevent fungal diseases.
How to Water Plumeria in Landscapes
When the land dries out, plumeria trees need watering as often. Water the root base’s vicinity with a lot of water to nourish the tree. After that, wait until the ground is completely dry before watering again. Every two weeks in dry climates, you may have to water a plumeria tree. You won’t have to water the plant if you get frequent rainfall.
Standing in waterlogged soil kills plumeria trees. The gorgeous, glossy leaves may turn yellow and drop from the shrub if there is too much water or if it grows in poor drainage soil. You never need to water the area around a frangipani tree from late fall through winter.
How to Encourage Plumeria Branching
Your plumeria tree’s regular spring trimming may help to promote branching. With a frangipani tree, branching causes it to develop thicker and bushier. Each cut produces two or three branches. Ultimately, you’ll get a robust, branchesy tree with lovely leaves and loads of fragrant waxy blooms.
How to Prune Plumeria Tree
Before the plant produces new flowers, trimming a plumeria tree is best in spring. Cut the plumeria branches at 2″ (5 cm) above where two branches join to encourage new branch development. You may trim approximately 12 inches (30 cm) higher if the tree is exhibiting signs of leggy growth.
Make a 45° cut in the ground at a 45° angle using sterile instruments. Always wear protective gloves when pruning because you’ll see a creamy, milky liquid oozing from the cut. The following season, after trimming a plumeria tree to restore its form, expect loads of flowers.
Pests and Diseases Affecting Plumeria Growth
Spider mites, mealybugs, thrips, whitefly, and scale insects are some of the common pests that affect frangipani trees. Under the thick, leathery leaves, you may look for signs of garden pests. The best and simplest way to get rid of the insects is with a powerful stream of water.
The pests are dislodged and frequently killed as a result. Mealybugs are indicated by cottony growths on the leaves or branches. Scale insects and mealybugs can be killed on contact by dabbing a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol.
Plumeria trees are infested with black and yellow striped caterpillars. You’ll typically find the Tetrio sphinx moth larvae crawling on branches and under leaves of plumeria trees, which are hosts to this moth. The finest way to get rid of caterpillars is by picking them up and dumping them into a tub of dishwashing water.
FAQs — Plumeria Care
Plumeria trees, which are tropical plants that thrive without intervention, grow quickly. You shouldn’t have any issues if you keep them frost-free. Plumeria care, on the other hand, can be impacted by a few factors.
Why are plumeria flowers dropping?
The most prevalent cause of plumeria tree blooms to perish prematurely is due to waterlogged ground. This problem, known as plumeria bud drop, may be corrected by reducing watering and keeping the ground nearly dry. Flower development, particularly at the conclusion of the season, may be harmed by chilly nighttime temperatures.
Why is my plumeria not flowering?
A frangipani tree can fail to bloom due to three factors. Getting less than six hours of sunlight per day can have a negative impact on blooming. Second, throughout the growing season, a high-phosphorus fertilizer must be applied to the blooming trees on a regular basis. A pest infestation might also be stressing the tree, finally. It’s also useful to keep in mind that the first blooms of a frangipani tree take two to three years.