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Plumeria is a genus of flowering plants in the family Apocynaceae. Most species are deciduous shrubs or small trees. The species variously are endemic to Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, and as far south as Brazil and north as Florida, but are grown as cosmopolitan ornamentals in warm regions. Common names for plants in the genus vary widely according to region, variety, and whim, but frangipani or variations on that theme are the most common. Plumeria is also used as a common name, especially in horticultural circles.
Plumeria flowers are most fragrant at night in order to lure sphinx moths to pollinate them. The flowers yield no nectar, however, and simply trick their pollinators. The moths inadvertently pollinate them by transferring pollen from flower to flower in their fruitless search for nectar. Insects or human pollination can help create new varieties of plumeria. Plumeria trees from cross pollinated seeds may show characteristics of the mother tree or their flowers might just have a totally new look.
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Watering
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When watering Plumeria trees, remember they do not like wet feet. Water frequently when the plant holds lots of foliage and flowers, typically from March to late November. Only water when the soil becomes dry. When summer rains arrive, and during the active growing season, you do not need to think about watering. When the leaves start to fall, stop watering. Do not water the plant again until you see new leaves. Watering plants while in dormancy often leads to killing the plant.
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Lights
| As with most of the flowering plants, Frangipani trees need plenty of sunlight for proper flowering. If you grow Plumeria in pots, it does best with afternoon shade; otherwise, full sun or at least 6 hours of sunlight is preferred. |
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