Q&A for How to Grow a Plumeria

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Can I leave my Plumeria outside for the winter?

Monique Capanelli
Plant Specialist
Monique Capanelli is a Plant Specialist and the Owner and Designer for Articulture Designs, an innovative design firm and boutique in Austin, Texas. With over 15 years of experience, Monique specializes in interior botanical design, living walls, event decor, and sustainable landscape design. She attended the University of Texas at Austin. Monique is a Certified Permaculture Designer. She provides plant and botanical design experiences, from small gifts to entire transformations, to shoppers as well as commercial clients including Whole Foods Market and The Four Seasons.

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Plant Specialist

Expert Answer

If you have freezing temperatures in your area you should bring your Plumeria inside for the winter.

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Question

What do I do if the leaves fall off my plumeria?

Community Answer

You will need to pinpoint your problem first. Does your plant have bugs on it? Is the soil extremely wet, or extremely dry? What temperatures are you exposing your plant to? Is it in too much sun, or too little? Are you fertilizing too much, or too little? Any of these things can cause stress to the plant, and when a plant is stressed, it often responds by dropping leaves. That being said, your plant will lose its lower leaves on purpose as it grows larger leaves on top. So if the plant drops a few bottom leaves and then seems normal, it's fine. If it continues to drop leaves, and/or change leaf color, you need to examine your plant's environment closely to find out what is wrong.

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Question

How do I grow plumeria from a broken branch?

Community Answer

Let it dry out for a few days, then stick it in the ground 3 inches deep. Do not water it for about 7 weeks while it starts to generate its roots. I live in South Florida, and with Plumeria branches, we stick them in the ground and in about 4 months they start to grow leaves.

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Question

Can I put my Plumeria outside now and leave it out when it rains?

Community Answer

Just make sure that the pot it is in has drain holes in the bottom. Plumeria do not like to sit in water and need well-drained soil and pots so water can escape.

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Question

My plumeria has never bloomed. What can I do to make it bloom?

Community Answer

You could change the location. Make sure it's exposed to sunlight. It requires hot and humid weather.

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Question

What causes plumeria leaves to turn yellow?

Community Answer

It is a natural process for plumeria leaves to turn yellow and fall off. If new leaves are turning yellow, this could be a sign that the plant is not getting enough water. It could also be a sign of disease or pests.

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Question

Will my plumeria survive outside at night in 30 degree F (-1 degree C) temperatures?

Community Answer

No, definitely not. You will need to bring it indoors. Those temperatures are too cold for your plant to thrive.

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Question

What type of light should I use indoors?

Community Answer

Simply place the plumeria by a window or in a greenhouse. If this isn't available, you can also use fluorescent lights.

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Question

How fast does a Pulmeria tree grow?

Community Answer

It depends, but usually you can see growth within a week to a month, and within two months you should be able to see leaves. Plant the clippings in spring to see this growth.

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I live in Costa Rica. We have two seasons: dry (Dec-April) and wet (May-Nov). What is the best way to grow them here?

Community Answer

This is an ideal climate for plumerias because they grow in climates with a dry and wet season. Your plumeria will be dormant during the dry season and will bloom during the wet season. If it doesn't get too cold, you can plant it outside and it will grow well.

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Question

Can I propagate basil from cutting?

Community Answer

Yes, you take the basil cutting and put the cut end in a glass of water. Make sure to change the water quite often to discourage fungus. After a few weeks, the cutting should begin to send out new roots. Once these roots are about two inches long, you may plant your cutting and it shall begin to grow into a whole new plant!

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Question

How long does it take a plumeria to start growing branches?

Community Answer

It takes about 4-8 weeks for the roots to implant in the soil. Small plumeria can take around 3 years to bloom.

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Question

Why do the ends of the leaves curl?

Community Answer

It could be from bug bites. I sometimes see Mayflies on mine and then the next day the leaves are curled.

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Question

Are brown spots on a plant's leaf evidence of disease?

Community Answer

Yes, brown spots are evidence of a fungal or other type of disease.

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Question

The tip of my plant is black, should I cut that off, or is it dying?

Community Answer

As long as the blackness doesn't spread, leave it alone; chances are the tip will still sprout regardless if the conditions are right (enough light, proper temperature, etc.).

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Question

I live in central Florida in zone 9A. Do you recommend planting plumeria outdoors in a protected area or should I put it in a container so I can put it in the garage when cool weather comes?

Community Answer

The best approach would be to grow them in containers and then bring the plants into the garage or other sheltered indoor place during the cooler season.

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Question

How long will it be before my plumeria plants bloom into flowers in their flowerpots?

Community Answer

Mine bloomed in 6 months from planting the cutting. I live in Florida and put the cuttings (4) in plastic pots. They had 6 - 8 hours of sun at about 90 degrees. I put them in larger pot in about three months and again in 5 1/2 months.

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Question

What's the best way to root plumeria cuttings?

Community Answer

Let the end of the cutting dry out (ca. 2 weeks). Put it in a pot with well draining soil. Water it once in the beginning. Than do NOT water it for ~4 weeks. You could use growing hormones and apply the powder to the end of the cutting to support the root growth.

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Question

Do I need to water my plumeria over the winter?

Community Answer

Once every 4 weeks or less is recommended. It's better to let it dry out completely than to water it to frequently.

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What do I do if my plumeria is too large? Should I prune it? Will the leaves grow back?

Community Answer

You could replant it in a bigger pot or prune it. Yes, the leaves will grow back if the plant is well taken care of. The best time to prune is late winter or early spring.

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Question

How do I force branching on my plumeria?

Community Answer

To force branching you prun the plumeria. Use desinfected and sharp utensils an cut where you want your plant to branch. Again the best time would be late winter or early spring.

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Question

Will plumeria grow in a cooler climate if it's insulated through the winter?

Community Answer

Plumerias can't survive freezing temperatures or close to that. The ideal overwintering temperature is around 18°C but down to 13°C will be tolerated.

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