Plumeria are also know by the more scientific name Frangipani. These are one of the most beautiful and fragrant flowers one can find. Flowers can be white, yellow, pink, red or rainbow color. The smell of a plumeria flower can be like roses, coconut, spices and other unique scents.

Many people consider the plant to be from Hawaii but research has shown that the plants did not originate there. Many experts believe they originated from Central or South America but the exact location is not actually known. Though not originally from Hawaii they grow prolifically there and many growers of commercial intent are located on the islands. Other locations where Plumeria are prevalent are limited to tropical locations due to their intolerance of freezing weather.

Plumeria can be a very easy plant to grow. That, along with the multitude of colors and fragrances explain why they have become such a popular plant. Even though they are a tropical plant, they can be grown in colder climates due to the fact that they will go dormant in the fall and can be stored in the garage or attic during the months of freezing weather. When warmer spring days are back you can put your tree outside again and watch it come to life. Another reason for the Plumeria’s popularity is its ease of care. It is a very hardy plant and does not need a lot of attention. Once it is a year or two old all it needs to keep healthy is regular watering and some liquid or granular fertilizer once a month.

The easiest way to get started with your first Plumeria is to get a cutting from a nursery. Cuttings are usually about 15 inches long and can be stored for up to a year before being planted. Rooting a cutting is easy. Just create a potting mix of 50% sand and 50% soil. Stick your Plumeria tree into the new soil mix down to about 3 inches. At this point the cutting is susceptible to rotting if the soil is kept wet. It is recommended that you do not water the cutting again until it has several well formed leaves. If the weather is hot you can lightly water every couple of days. Just be sure the soil is dry most of the time. The cutting will develop roots in about 6 weeks. You will know that the roots have begun to grow when the leaves begin to form.

Once your Plumeria is growing well you can begin a regular program of watering and feeding. Again, caring for a Plumeria is not difficult. Be sure to water your Plumeria whenever the soil gets dry. That can mean watering once a week if the temperature is cooler or it has been cloudy each day. It can also mean watering twice a day if the climate is hot and dry. Another factor is the root ball. A large root ball that takes up the majority of a container will require much more watering as the roots are constantly ‘drinking’ up the available moisture. The main thing to keep in mind is that a Plumeria does not like to be wet. Water the plant and let it dry out over a day or two before watering again. If you want lots of beautiful fragrant flowers you must fertilize your plant. A fertilizer with a high middle number like 10-50-10 will promote branching and flowering. Your Plumeria should be feed once or twice a month.

That’s about all there is to having a healthy and beautiful Plumeria. They can be kept in pots and brought in during the winter or kept as a house plant. Be sure to increase the size of your pot once the roots begin to come out the holes at the bottom. Remember that Plumeria need lots of direct sunlight. If you are going to keep it in the house or even if it is outside, be sure it gets at least 6 hours of sunlight for best growth and flowering. Now, go out and get your self one of these interesting and beautiful tropical flowering trees.