Frangipani / Plumeria Care

Many hobby gardeners have chosen a Frangipani (often it does not stop at one, but there will be 2…3… and more).

In Europe, we can unfortunately only cultivate this beautiful plant outdoors in summer, but must take it indoors by the end of October (or as soon as the temperatures fall below 10°C) to maintain its winter dormancy.

But what are the most important factors for a healthy and blooming plant?

Sun, sun, and more sun. The Frangipani loves pure UV light. And the more we can provide it, the better it will feel and the faster it will bloom. It does not like partial shade or shade. It needs a spot in direct sunlight.

Water. Frangipanis like regular watering in summer. At temperatures above 28°C, it is advisable to water them twice a day (morning and evening). When temperatures are lower, a generous watering in the morning is sufficient. IMPORTANT: Please do not use saucers under the pots, as Frangipani does not like „wet feet“ at all and may rot.

Fertilizer! In summer, you should regularly fertilize your Frangipani (once a week). There are various fertilizers that either promote the plant’s growth or encourage the plant to bloom. Both types of fertilizer can, of course, be obtained from our shop. Please note, however, that a fertilizer can never guarantee a bloom. There are simply too many factors that contribute to the development of a flower spike. And if you don’t have a measuring spoon yet, we recommend our fertilizer measuring spoon.

In indoor cultivation, you should regularly spray your Frangipani, as the dry indoor climate promotes the formation of spider mites on the plant. And spider mites are among the unwanted guests on the Frangipani. Other unwanted guests are thrips and mealybugs. Tip: You can reduce the risk of infestation by leaving your Frangipani outdoors!

Use special Frangipani soil for your Frangipani plants. If you want to mix your own soil, you can certainly do that as well. However, avoid soils that retain moisture and are not permeable enough. If the soil is too „heavy“, it can lead to root rot and thus to the death of the plant. We recommend our Plumeria soil mix from the shop. It is specifically tailored to the needs of Frangipani.ipani adjusted.

Hold the winter dormancy at all costs! We only refer to it as „Winterruhe“ in Europe. The correct term is Dormancy. The plant goes into a kind of artificial sleep. But how does the plant know when it’s time? By the position of the sun! The outdoor plants will slowly start to shed their leaves. From this point on, you should gradually reduce watering and then completely stop. You can winter the plant wherever you have space for it. Light (this doesn’t apply to Singapore Obtusa) is not necessary, as photosynthesis does not occur without leaves. Temperatures should always be at least 10°C. Once you notice fresh green at the tips of the plants in mid/end April, you can slowly start watering again, and of course, the plants will need light again. Once 3-4 leaves have emerged, you can also start fertilizing.

Die Singapore Obtusa is one of the most well-known Plumerias from the holiday regions of Asia, South America, America. It is (together with Plumeria pudica) an „evergreen“ plant. This means it also goes into winter dormancy (Dormancy) like Plumeria rubra, but does not sleep completely.

It should be watered lightly once a week and of course, it needs light. The same applies to Plumeria pudica. Please do not fertilize the two varieties during winter dormancy!

When you are unsure if you have such a Plumeria, just send us a photo of the plant and a close-up of the leaves. Then we can categorize the plant for you.