Scientific Name
Plumeria rubra L.
Common Names
Frangipani, Common Frangipani, Red Frangipani, Nosegay, Red Paucipan, Red Jasmine, Temple Tree
Synonyms
Plumeria acuminata, Plumeria acutifolia, Plumeria angustifolia, Plumeria arborea, Plumeria arborescens, Plumeria aurantia, Plumeria aurantiaca, Plumeria bicolor, Plumeria blandfordiana, Plumeria carinata, Plumeria conspicua, Plumeria gouanii, Plumeria incarnata, Plumeria jamesonii, Plumeria kerrii, Plumeria kunthiana, Plumeria lambertiana, Plumeria loranthifolia, Plumeria lutea, Plumeria macrophylla, Plumeria megaphylla, Plumeria mexicana, Plumeria milleri, Plumeria mollis, Plumeria northiana, Plumeria purpurea, Plumeria tenuifolia, Plumeria tricolor
Scientific Classification
Family: Apocynaceae
Subfamily: Rauvolfioideae
Tribe: Plumerieae
Genus: Plumeria
Description
Plumeria rubra is a deciduous plant that grows as a spreading shrub or small tree up 25 feet (7.6 m) tall. It has a thick, succulent trunk and sausage-like, blunt branches covered with thin grey bark. The branches are somewhat brittle and, when broken, ooze a white latex. The leaves are green up to 20 inches (50 cm) long, arranged alternately, and clustered at the end of the branches. The flowers are terminal, with five petals, and appear at the ends of branches over the summer. The colors range from the common pink to white with shades of yellow in the center of the flower.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 10a to 11b: from 30 °F (−1.1 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
Although you don't have to live in the tropics to grow Plumeria in the home garden, you should be aware of its growing requirements beforehand.
Often grown in the garden as an ornamental shrub or small tree, these plants need to be grown in well-draining, slightly acidic soil. They also need at least 6 hours of full sun.
While the plants are fairly tolerant of both salt and windy conditions, they are not tolerant of cold and must be protected. Therefore, they should be container grown in colder regions. In areas that may be warm most of the time but still fairly prone to cold winters, the plant can be dug up and overwintered indoors. Alternatively, you can sink container-grown Plumerias in the ground, bringing them indoors once the temperatures begin to drop in fall. Once warmer temps return in spring, you can return the plants outdoors.
Plumeria care, for the most part, is minimal. While Plumerias don't like wet feet, they should be watered deeply when irrigated and then allowed to dry out some before watering again. See more at How to Grow and Care for Plumeria.
Origin
Plumeria rubra is native to Mexico.
Links
- Back to genus Plumeria
- Succulentopedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
