Frangipani, Plumeria

The Frangipani is eye-catching with its extraordinary and fragrant flowers. Here’s how to plant and care properly for this exotic flowering wonder.

Mar 03, 2021 10:41 am
readtime icon 7 Minutes
Growth type
  • shrub
  • Succulent
Growth height (from)
from 500 cm to 700 cm
Growth width (from)
from 300 cm to 500 cm
Growth characteristics
  • sweeping
  • upright
  • multi-trunked
Flower color
  • yellow
  • red
  • pink
Flowering time (month)
  • June to September
Flower shape
  • 5-fold
  • terminal
  • Trumpets
Flower characteristics
  • strongly fragrant
Leaf color
  • green
page format
  • elliptiques
  • oblong
Fruit shape
  • Bellows fruit
Light
  • sunny
Soil type
  • sandy to loamy
Soil Moisture
  • moderately dry to fresh
ph value
  • neutral
Lime compatibility
  • lime-tolerant
Nutrient requirements
  • nutrient-rich
Humus
  • rich in humus
Decorative or utility value
  • Flower Decoration
  • Leaf ornaments
  • Scented plant
Climate zones according to USDA
  • 10
Use
  • Planters
  • Winter garden
  • Warm House
Garden style
  • Pot garden
Origin

The red frangipani (Plumeria rubra), also known as West Indian jasmine or temple tree, is a species of plant from the dog venom family (Apocynaceae) and is native to Puerto Rico, Mexico and the Lesser Antilles. The genus Plumeria includes about eight species of deciduous or semi-evergreen shrubs with succulent shoots and fleshy branches. Frangipani is said to have been cultivated in the imperial gardens of Vienna as early as 1770, where they bloomed every year. For the inhabitants of the West Indies, the plant is a symbol of immortality. Their aromatic, fragrant flowers are often used to make perfumes.

Growth

The Frangipani is a large, deciduous shrub with thick trunks. In the natural habitat it can be up to 22.96 feet high and 53.80 feet wide, but in a pot it rarely reaches heights of more than 9.82 feet. The milky sap found in the plant parts is poisonous.

Leaves

The alternate leaves of the Frangipani, located at the end of the branches, are elliptical to oblong or inverted lanceolate. They become 7.87 inches to 15.74 inches long and up to 5.90 inches wide. On the midrib, the medium-green leaves are often pale in color and, in contrast to the species Plumeria alba, have a distinct nerve running around the edge.

Flowers

From June to September, salver-shaped, 2.75 to 3.93 inches wide, waxy flowers appear in terminal panicles and loosely spread umbels. The flowers of the Frangipani are pink-red, sometimes yellow or red and have a very strong fragrance. The five short stamens are attached to the base of the tube and neither the short stigmas nor the two carpels are visible from the outside.

Frangipani (Plumeria rubra)
The Frangipani mesmerizes us with its extravagant and elegant flowers
Fruit

Two elongated follicle fruits with many seeds are formed from each plumeria flower.

Location

The Frangipani needs a sunny, warm and humid location all year round - a warm or greenhouse is best, in which the tropical plant thrives well at 68 degrees Fahrenheit. Even during the summer, the plumeria only needs moderate soil moisture, but high humidity.

Substrate

Standard soil is sufficient as a substrate for the plumeria. However, provide a drainage layer so that the water can drain off properly.

Watering

It is important to water the frangipani carefully but vigorously, especially in summer. Always allow the soil to dry well between waterings. A prerequisite for planting buds is that they should not be planted during the dormant period from November to April. During this time you should only water sparingly. Although the Frangipani will shed its leaves during this time, there is no need to worry - the briefly desolate sight is made up for by a magnificent bloom next summer.

Frangipani in pot
The Frangipani needs to be fertilized every one to two weeks in summer
Fertilizing

During the summer months you can feed the Frangipani every one to two weeks with commercially available flower fertilizer, which you add to the water in half the concentration specified on the packaging.

Repotting

If the vessel has become too small, you can put the plumeria in a larger pot in spring. It is repotted about every two to five years. Don’t forget the drainage layer.

Pruning

You can trim the main shoot several times to the desired height so that a crown forms. Later you just have to cut back a few branch that towers above the crown. In principle, however, a frangipani usually develops best without a cut, as every cut leaves unsightly wounds and also increases the susceptibility to fungal diseases.

Overwintering

During the dormant period between November and April you should overwinter the Frangipani in a bright place at a minimum of 50 degrees Fahrenheit. A conservatory works the best. The plant will lose many leaves and should only be watered moderately during this time.

Varieties
Plumeria 'Divine'
Plumeria rubra “Divine” looks magnificent with its pink-yellow flowers

Some varieties of Plumeria rubra are enchanting with different flower colors, such as the”Dulcemia” variety. Its fruity-scented flowers appear from soft pink to dark red depending on the sunlight. Plumeria rubra “Divine” has light pink-yellow flowers and is distinguished by its particularly high flowering potential.

Propagation

Frangipani can be propagated by sowing or leafless cuttings AT 77 degree Fahrenheit. To do this, first cut off shoot tips that are at least 7.87 inches long from older trees with long branches. To prevent too much white milky sap from leaking out of the cut wounds of the plants, pass a lit match or the flame of a lighter is over the cut several times. In this way, the milky sap that has already leaked out dries faster and seals the wound. If this is too time-consuming, let the cuttings air dry for a day. On the following day, the pots intended for planting are filled with a mixture of two thirds of fresh planting soil and one third of coarse sand.

Lower the cuttings 0.78 to 1.57 inches deep into the soil. They are supported by two support rods and plastic-coated binding wire that does not cut into them. Water the cuttings well and place them in a warm place with 68 degrees Fahrenheit ground heat. In contrast to the standard practice, the cuttings are not covered. Keep the soil slightly moist, but not wet and by no means completely dry, for the following weeks. As soon as roots have formed, the young plant sprouts new leaves at the top.

Diseases and Pests

If the air is too dry, there is a possibility of spider mites and mealybugs infestation.