Consulta Plantas

Care of the tree Plumeria rubra or Common frangipani

The genus Plumeria, family Apocynaceae, comprises 7 species of trees and shrubs native to Mexico, Central and South America. Some species are: Plumeria rubra, Plumeria alba, Plumeria obtusa, Plumeria pudica.

Common names: Common frangipani, Temple tree, Red frangipani, Red-jasmine. This species is native to Mexico, Central America, Colombia and Venezuela.

They are small tropical trees or shrubs with thick branches that reach 6 meters (19.68 feet) in height. The large leaves are simple, alternate, and dark green. The flowers are the most perfumed in Nature, they have a helix shape with 5 petals and can be white, pink, cream, yellow or purple. Outside of their natural habitat, where they bloom all year round, they do so during the summer.

Common frangipani is used as isolated specimens, in small groups and in pots at least 30 cm deep. In regions with colder climates it's grown in a greenhouse or indoors.

Plumeria rubra needs a sunny exposure and high temperatures. It does not resist cold or sudden changes in temperature. The ambient humidity should be medium. It can be grown outdoors in Mediterranean climates with mild winters.

The soil can be a mixture of garden substrate with 1/3 of coarse sand with heather soil and 1/3 of peat. Planting is done at the end of winter.

Water abundantly during spring and summer and reduce watering in fall; water sparingly in winter.

Fertilize every 15 days with mineral fertilizer during spring and summer.

Red frangipani does not need pruning but after flowering it can be trimmed slightly to keep it compact.

The worst enemy of Plumeria rubra is excessive humidity.

Temple tree is propagated by cuttings in late winter; dry them for several hours to remove the latex produced by the plant; then the dry latex is removed and they are rooted in damp sand.

Images of the tree Plumeria rubra or Common frangipani