Plumeria care guide

Pets and children

How often to water Plumeria

Spring–Summer (Mar–Sep)

Every 5 days

Once in leaf, water thoroughly when the soil dries, as a guide: about every two to three days in midsummer, and very little in early spring before growth starts.

Autumn (Oct–Nov)

Every 10 days

Cut back as it cools, generally waiting a few days after the soil dries, and water even less once leaves start to drop.

Winter (Dec–Feb)

Every month

While leafless and dormant, keep it almost dry; in a warm room, lightly moisten about once a month, as a guide.

Light and placement for Plumeria

From spring to fall, full sun outdoors is about right, since more sun generally means sturdier branches and more flowers; harden it off in part shade for a week or two first.

Overwintering Plumeria

Overwintering guide: 8°C (46°F) or above

Bring it indoors when nights drop below about 15°C; under 10°C it sheds its leaves and goes dormant, so stop watering and keep it dry above roughly 8°C.

Fertilizing and repotting Plumeria

Fertilizer

From about May, once in full leaf, to September, slow-release fertilizer roughly monthly; favor phosphorus, as much nitrogen gives leaves over flowers, and give none in dormancy.

When to repot

Spring–Summer (Mar–Sep)

Common problems with Plumeria

• Watering on through leafless winter rots the roots and trunk.
• With too little sun the branches grow but no flowers come.
• Moved abruptly into spring sun, the leaves and trunk scorch.

Tips for growing Plumeria

• Winter leaf drop is dormancy; if the branch tips stay firm, it sprouts again in spring.
• Flowers form at branch tips, so prune only after bloom or in early spring, wearing gloves against the sap.
• Use a free-draining mix and shelter it under the eaves in long rains to help prevent root rot.

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