The Enchanting Allure of Plumeria
The heady scent of plumeria will send you on vacation every time you smell them.
“Plumeria seem to have a magical hold on people,” says “Jungle” Julie Hunt, a San Clemente landscape consultant and certified arborist who grows and sells a variety of plumeria. “When people smell my plumeria, they get all glassy-eyed and happy and start reminiscing about past vacations.”
Though often associated with the Hawaiian Islands and leis, plumeria are actually native to Mexico and India.
Colors and Fragrances
Grown as a shrub or small tree, plumeria come in many colors and scents. Common flower colors include:
- White
- Pink
- Red
- Yellow
- Gold
- Peach
- Apricot
- Violet
Fragrances range from coconut and mango to peach, cinnamon, raspberry, lemon, and vanilla.
Blooming Season
Plumeria typically bloom from spring through fall. They are deciduous and drop their leaves in midwinter.
Recommended Varieties for Southern California
- Guillot’s Sunset: Long-lasting rainbow-colored flowers with vivid orange centers.
- Samoan Fluff: Large white petals with a strong fragrance.
- Mokey Man: Very fragrant yellow flowers.
- Dwarf Deciduous: Compact grower with white flowers and yellow centers.
- Marino’s Rainbow: Multicolored blooms (yellow, red, pink) with a peach scent.
- Aztec Gold: Buttercup-yellow flowers edged in pink-white with a peach fragrance.
Growing Tips for Plumeria
Though tropical, plumeria are easy to grow with the right care. Here are tips from expert Julie Hunt:
- Sun & Drainage: Choose a sunny, warm location. In hot inland areas, protect from harsh afternoon sun. Ensure excellent drainage. Use large containers if needed.
- Planting Potted Plumeria:
- Choose a high spot and loosen the soil.
- Amend soil 50% with organic mulch or planting mix.
- Insert a stake and set the plant next to it on top of the soil.
- Mound soil around roots, tamp down, stake plant, and water lightly.
- Optional: Sprinkle alyssum seeds to stabilize soil.
- Container Growing:
- Use cactus mix or combine 3 parts potting soil, 1 part peat moss, 1 part perlite, 1 part sand.
- Pre-moisten soil and avoid watering for the first few days.
- Cuttings:
- Let cuttings dry in a bright, arid place for 1–2 weeks.
- Dip in rooting hormone and insert into damp perlite.
- Place in bright light and water sparingly until roots form (2–4 weeks).
- Watering:
- Do not overwater—plumeria are prone to rot.
- Water daily in summer; reduce watering in dormancy.
- Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer with micronutrients monthly during the growing season.
- Pest Control:
- Watch for giant whitefly, thrips, and spider mites.
- Use ultra-fine horticultural oil or rinse with water weekly.
Propagation Tips
Take cuttings in early spring as dormancy ends. Avoid horizontal cuts to reduce rot risk.
Harvesting Flowers
Harvest by snapping flowers off at an angle. Immediately place them in water to seal the stems.
Upcoming Event
A plumeria meeting and cutting sale will be held at 2 p.m. on July 19 at the South Coast Botanical Gardens, 26300 Crenshaw Blvd., Rolling Hills Estates. Meeting is free; garden admission is $5. Call (310) 544-6815 for details.
Mail-Order Source
Stokes Tropicals, based in New Iberia, Louisiana, offers a wide selection of plumeria. Call (800) 624-9706 or visit
www.stokestropicals.com.
