The Plumeria or Frangipani plant is also known as Pomelia , it has tropical origins , but it is also cultivated in some areas of the Mediterranean thanks to the favorable climate. In Hawaii the Plumeria flowers are used to make flower garlands , while in our country they are highly sought after for growing in pots that allow you to decorate interiors, balconies and gardens. In our homes it can reach up to two meters in height, while in its natural habitat it can also become a wonderful flowering tree up to ten meters tall.

Plumeria is the scientific name of the plant that comes from Charles Plumier , the botanist who, while exploring exotic countries, discovered the beauty of this plant and its various species. But many also know this plant as Frangipani, a name that comes from its essence and that in the 16th century recalled the perfume created by Maurizio Frangipani at the court of Catherine de' Medici.

It belongs to the Apocynaceae family with seven varieties, many subspecies and more than two hundred hybrid plants obtained from crossing different varieties. Plumeria is considered one of the plants that contains particular characteristics : from the evergreen leaves to the beautiful scented star-shaped flowers that can be single-colored or with particular shades in the center. Like other plants of the Apocynaceae family, one of its characteristics is the production of poisonous latex , sticky to the touch that can be transparent or white. It is therefore important to wear gloves to take care of it and avoid contact with the eyes and mouth.

Growing and caring for Plumeria is simple, it can be grown in a pot and with a few small precautions, on where to place it and when to water it, you can give an exotic touch to your rooms and your garden.

How to Grow Plumeria in a Pot

You can grow Plumeria in a pot and decide whether to keep it indoors, on the balcony or in the garden or move it when necessary. Being a plant of exotic origins, it does not survive below 13 °C, so you must pay particular attention to temperatures. For example, the climate of Southern Italy is favorable for its cultivation and Plumeria or Pomelia has become one of the symbols of the city of Palermo where potted crops decorate balconies, streets and gardens.

Growing Frangipani in a pot is the most recommended in our country because it allows us to transfer the plant to a more suitable environment when temperatures tend to drop. This means that you can keep it outdoors in the warmer months and bring it indoors in the colder months.

In order for the Plumeria to grow beautifully and lushly, it is not recommended to use clay pots because their porosity disperses humidity quickly; a plastic pot of no less than 4 litres already prepared with holes at the base for water drainage is better.

You should know that Plumeria belongs to succulent plants , which means that its tissues accumulate large quantities of water. For pot cultivation, where the roots have limited space, the choice of soil is essential, which must be light , fertile and balanced . In order to have excellent drainage you must get a coarse soil that drains instantly and does not retain much water. To the soil you will use to grow your Pomelia you can add perlite or sand , or just a little expanded clay on the bottom of the pot.

Fertilization can be done between May and September and if your Plumeria is less than five years old the fertilizer must be exclusively for green plants in order to help it grow. After five years you can use fertilizers for flowering plants. In both cases you can contact a nursery that will surely be able to advise you on the most suitable product also taking into consideration the variety of Plumeria you are growing.

When to water plumerias?

Understanding when to water Plumerias is one of the most important processes if you decide to try your hand at pot cultivation. It must be said that succulent plants see their end due to unnecessary or excessive watering. As with any plant, even in the case of Plumerias, the best time to water potted plants is in the morning, before sunrise, or alternatively in the evening after sunset. It is not possible to know exactly how much to water these plants, there can be many variables: the temperature, the species, the size, the environment and so on, but we can give you some general indications:

  • water potted plumerias during the growing season from spring until late summer;
  • avoid water stagnation in the saucer;
  • water only when the soil is completely dry , one way to tell is when the soil comes away slightly from the edges of the pot;
  • suspend watering during the winter .

It is important to never overdo the amount of water, remember that you have to water it and not soak it. Try to find the right compromise based on the size of the vase and the Plumerias. The position of the Plumerias is also fundamental when watering because you should never give them water if they are positioned in direct sunlight and especially during the hottest hours.

Where to place plumeria?

Knowing where to place the Plumeria is important because it is very delicate, another reason why growing it in a pot is an excellent choice. If you place the plant outside , on the balcony or in the garden , make sure to find a place that protects it from the wind to avoid lacerations on the leaves or branches breaking irreparably.

Another precaution you must take when you look around to understand where to place your wonderful Frangipani is that it is not an area where the sun is present during the hottest hours. Yes, a sunny place , but with shade during the hottest moments of the day, especially in midsummer.

If you want to keep it indoors, make sure it is in a bright environment , perhaps near a window, even here be careful of direct sunlight during the hottest hours especially if it passes through the glass. Growing Plumeria in a pot followed by proper hydration and positioned in the right place will reward you with beautiful flowers.

What time of year does plumeria bloom?

The Plumeria blooms between May and October , and it is during this time that it blooms in all its splendor. The flowers are similar to those of the oleander, but with a slightly larger diameter.

During flowering you will smell its scent even from a distance especially from sunset to dawn . The beauty of Frangipani flowers can be seen both in their consistency and in their bright colors .

The flowers grow from the tops of the branches and each funnel-shaped corolla is composed of five or seven petals . The colors of the Plumeria flowers vary according to the species, they can be: white , yellow , pink , red , orange , lilac , or shaded with darker colors in the center and then lighten along the entire length of the petal. The hybrid species Rainbow is very characteristic in which the flowers have pastel shades in various colors, beautiful, just like the rainbow.