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Plumeria are beautiful landscape plants that would enhance any landscape. The flowers are beautiful and come in a range of colors from white, yellow, pink-red and all produce a wonderful perfume scent
The noun Plumeria has one meaning: **Deciduous shrubs and trees of tropical America having branches like candelabra and fragrant white or pink flowers.** - Originally from Mexico and Central America, Plumeria has spread to all tropical areas of the world, especially Hawaii, where it grows so abundantly that many people think that it is indigenous there. P. alba is the national flower of Nicaragua and Laos, where it is known under the local name "Sacuanjoche" (Nicaragua) and "Champa" (Laos). If not for the occasional frost and freezes experienced every number of years in the Phoenix valley, Plumeria is otherwise well suited to our climate and adorns many homes and resorts.
Plumeria can make a wonder landscape addition and well suited to potting culture as well. If you choose to plant in your yard, you only need to consider your winter lows, I will explain more under the frost protection section. Plumeria take the valley summers of heat and sun but also do well in part shade or patios, though best flowering is when the plant receives several hours of sun. Plumeria should be planted in a well draining soil mix whether in the ground or pots. I have had best results using patio mixes, my favorite is sold under the brand "Organo, Cactus & Patio Mix" or "Natures Way, Cactus & Patio Mix". Both are the same product but sold under different names in valley stores. Don't get confused by the name Cactus Mix, the product contains an array of beneficial organic material and is well suited to many tropical plants.
Watering is simple, just think of a rainy and dry season that the plant is natively accustomed to. When the plant has leaves and or flowers, typically March/April till November/early December you can water frequently, even every day in the hottest summer days. When the leaves just begin to drop, STOP WATERING. Really, stop watering and don't water again till you see new leaves. Yes that might mean that you don't water for 4 or 5 months but watering while the plant is dormant is the number one killer of Plumeria, trust me. Water for 1/2 a year and leave dry the other half, can't get any simpler than that.
Plumeria like any tropical plant are frost sensitive. During a frost an unprotected plant can be damaged starting with the tips (outer most branches). In a hard freeze the plant, even a mature one can be killed outright. Planting near your home in the hottest part of your yard is best as the heat released during the winter nights will aide in keeping the temps above freezing. If you have a overhang that is even better and will deter frost from settling over night. Also another good suggestion is potting the plant in a large light colored planter so during the summer you can move it to the sun and during the winter you can bring it under cover or even inside if you wish. If you choose to bring it inside it is possible that you will be able to keep it from going dormant. Place it near a sunny window and away from heater vents, and as long as it has leaves keep watering but it wont be very often during the cooler months. In the cool months it is important not to over water as it will rot the plant. If you aren't sure it is best to keep the soil on the dry side. If the plant is outside you must protect it. Frost cloth works best since it is light weight, just make sure the blanket extends all the way to the ground so to trap the heat during the night. Absence of frost cloth you can use blankets, burlap, carboard, just make sure to remove them during the day after the temps are above freezing and if it rains as the extra weight may break the limbs. Wrapping the branches with Christmas lights is also a great way to keep frost away. The tips are the most sensitive and another great suggestion for a outside plumeria is to suspend a Styrofoam cup at the very end. Stuff the inside of the cup with cotton or other insulating material and place the cup over the tip.
Plumeria like most flowering plants like products containing high levels of phosphorus when in flower. You can use rose food or anything similar. Phosphorus is the second number displayed on the fertilizer package, so if the label says 10 15 10 then it contains 10 percent nitrogen, 15 percent phosphorus, and 10 percent potassium.
Plumeria like good draining soil and as mentioned above I recommend using Organo or Natures Way, Cactus and Patio Mix. It is a great draining product and contains a great deal of other beneficial organics. If you plan on potting you plumeria you can use this product as the sole medium for your pot. I recommend potting as you can move the plant around as the weather necessitates. You can even bury the plant in the nursery pot if yo wish to have the appearance the plant is planted in the ground but still have the flexibility to move it undercover during cold nights. If you plant in the ground use the patio mix at a rate of 70/30 with the native soil. Just think of Hawaii where the plant grows so well,
As with most flowering plants, plenty of sun is needed for proper flowering. If grown in pots would be best if received afternoon shade otherwise full sun or at least 1/2 day sun is preferred.
