Q&A for How to Plant Plumeria Seeds

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Do you have any tips on how to maintain Plumeria?

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.

Monique Capanelli

Plant Specialist

Expert Answer

It's important to remember Plumeria are not frost-hardy. They are a tropical plant. If you get below 35 degrees, you have to plant Plumeria in a pot. You can either move that pot in and overwinter it inside or bare root your plumerias. Bare root means you literally pull the whole plant out of the soil, and then you have those roots bare. You can store this in your garage. It will go dormant and lose all of its foliage and look like a big dead stick. Then once the last bit of frost is gone in the spring, you bring it out, and plant it in new soil. You can mix some worm castings in that, add a little fertilizer, and then water it. You will start seeing new growth within that first week or two.

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Question

I recently brought a Plumeria branch with pods back from Florida. One pod is green and the other one is a darker color. Should I plant the stem with the pods on it?

Community Answer

Yes, the seed pods are not developed. Plant the cutting and hopefully the pods will continue to develop. It takes about 8 months. They will turn dark and eventually split open.

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Question

What causes plumeria leaves to have a whitish color and fall off?

Community Answer

Usually, this is caused by fungus. Remove any affected leaves and discard them in a trash bag -- do not throw them on the ground. Cinnamon applied with a brush will help prevent this.

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Question

When should I start fertilizing my plumeria?

Community Answer

In the spring, when the tip becomes shiny. Then fertilize every other week with a fertilizer with a high middle number, such as 25-50-25.

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Question

What about their care after transplanting?

Community Answer

A lot of water, good soil, and a lot of room. It grows very rapidly and can choke out many bushes.

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Question

Should I soak my plumeria seeds before planting?

Community Answer

No. If you soak your plumeria/lei seed, it may rot and die. The pot is moist enough to feed it until it sprouts.

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Question

Why did my plumeria grow seed pods?

Community Answer

Probably because they were pollinated and had good growing conditions. The pods take ninemonths to mature. Leave them on the plant. When they are brown and getting dry, put nylon hose, like a knee-high, over it, because they split otherwise.

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Question

How do I fertilize plumeria seeds?

Community Answer

Buy a bag of slow release fertilizer and let it do its job. When it has sprouted, you won't need any fertilizer.

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Question

I put my seeds between tissue paper, and they are sprouting and growing a root. When do I plant them in individual pots?

Community Answer

When the roots are 10 - 12" long you can plant the cutting. If it's over 5" you can plant it if you give it extra water daily.

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Question

The seeds I received are tiny, like mustard seeds. How do I plant them correctly?

Community Answer

Those aren't plumeria seeds. They are likely poppy seeds. An unscrupulous online seller recently tried to send me poppy in place of plumeria as well, and I demanded a refund.

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Question

Will seedlings go dormant like the rest of plumeria?

Community Answer

Yes, my July 2017 seedlings looked like pitiful sticks in their little pots all winter long. This summer they are looking like real plumeria plants. I don't expect them to bloom for another year.

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Question

Do I place my planted plumeria seeds in bright light or in full sun?

Community Answer

I put mine on a south facing windowsill, they've done very well there. My first batch, set off in April, are now over 6 inches high with lots of big leaves. Take care to check regularly the soil doesn't get too dry and desiccated, though.

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