How to Grow Plumeria in the North
Native to the frost-free lands across Central America and the West Indies, plumeria or frangipani (Plumeria spp.) may be grown in containers or in the ground in a moderately fertile soil that is always fast draining. Subfreezing temperatures kill plumeria plants. They are grown outdoors year-round only in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 and warmer. Farther north, move plumeria plants indoors and out based on the seasonal temperatures. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Plastic container with drainage holes
- Peat-based or cactus potting mix
- Potassium-rich fertilizer, 5-10-5 or 10-30-10 formulation
Instructions
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Plant plumeria into any container that is 1 to 3 gallons in size, or 8 to 10 inches wide and deep. Use a peat-based potting mix or a special cactus mix enriched with 30 percent compost. Do not use topsoil. There must be at least one drainage hole in the container’s bottom, as plumeria do not survive in soggy soils.
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Place the plumeria in a warm room in a south- or west-facing window where it receives as much direct sunlight as possible. The plumeria cannot go outside from fall to spring in regions where temperatures drop below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep the soil barely moist from fall to spring when no leaves exist on the plant.
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Apply a granular or liquid fertilizer to the plumeria in midspring, mid- to late April, while it is still indoors and lacking leaves. Use a phosphate-rich fertilizer, such as 5-10-5 or 10-30-10, following label directions for dosage based on the size of the plant or the soil volume in the container. As the sun intensifies, the first hints of new flower buds or leaves begin appearing on stem tips. Increase watering gradually so the soil now becomes slightly moister, but never soggy.
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Bring the container-grown plumeria outdoors in mid- to late spring after all frost danger passes. This varies by latitude and elevation. Plumeria responds to heat and sunshine for leaf and flower production. Waiting until the daytime temperatures exceed 75 F and the nighttime temperature no longer drop below 60 F is an ideal time to relocate the plumeria outside in the temperate United States.
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Water the plumeria maintaining evenly moist soil during the heat of May to early September. Depending on the temperature, watering may be required daily or every two to four days. Make sure the container's drainage holes are not blocked. Temperatures more than 85 F and at least six hours of uninterrupted sunshine daily results in lush, leafy growth and development of flowers this time of year.
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Apply supplemental dosages of a water-based fertilizer every two weeks from May to mid-August. Mix the fertilizer as per product directions and apply in tandem with a typical watering to maintain the evenly moist soil.
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Bring the plumeria back indoors once nighttime temperatures drop below 45 F. As late summer's heat wanes and the sunlight intensity declines, a plumeria may retain flower clusters, but the leaves naturally yellow and drop off. The plant is beginning dormancy. Place the plumeria in a bright south- or west-facing window to overwinter.
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Reduce watering by mid-September and cease any fertilizing regimen by no later than Labor Day if it wasn't stopped in August. The soil needs to remain barely moist to slightly dry. Wet soil and cool temperatures lead to root and stem rot.
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Keep the container off any stone or concrete floor. The cold penetrates into any soil in containers that rest directly on a cold house floor from fall to spring. Allow the leaves to continue dropping off, and enjoy any last flower clusters. If the room is warm, flowers may linger until late fall before ceasing. Maintain the drier soil conditions. Resist any urge to water this time of year, even if flowers persist.
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Tips & Warnings
Larger-sized plumeria may be transplanted into containers 5 to 7 gallons in size. Any repotting should be done after the winter season indoors in March or early April.
A terra-cotta pot is especially useful when growing plumeria in pots, as it is heavy enough to prevent the plant from tipping the container over with its heavy branches and many leaves.
Apply Epsom salt, 1 teaspoon per gallon of water, to the plumeria once in late March and again in late April as part of the usual watering schedule. The magnesium in Epsom salts ensures the new leaves will be deep green and photosynthesis will be maximized the rest of summer.
When brought indoors to overwinter, plumeria plants do not need exposure to light. If space it tight, place the dormant plumeria containers in an cool spare room or garage where the temperature remains between 40 and 60 F.
Do not try to coax the plumeria out of dormancy or remain evergreen over the winter indoors, even if it's a heated sunroom or greenhouse. Keeping the soil dry in winter prevents root rot. In warm conditions indoors, the plant may leave dormancy a couple of weeks earlier, perhaps by March, compared to plants kept dormant away from the window or in a cool room elsewhere.
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