Most plumerias are small ornamental trees or shrubs that are grown in tropical climates. If you happen to be a gardener in a colder climate, you can grow this plant in a container and bring it inside when the days start turning cooler.
These sweetly fragranced flowers are available in various colors, but white is the most common. They require full sun and like slightly acidic soil. They also want to be in well-drained soil. Water them deeply and allow them to dry out between waterings.
Here are some of our favorite plumeria.
Plumeria Obtusa
Plumeria obtusa grows up to 25-feet tall. This variety will not thrive without about six hours of sunlight daily. This option puts on white flowers that have yellow throats. The flowers appear in clusters from spring until early fall. Dark green narrow leaves that are obovate grow on this plant. The leaves can be up to 8-inches long. While seldom putting on fruit when grown in home gardens, this option can have fruit up to 5-inches long.
Plumeria Rubra
The plumeria ruba grows up to 25-feet tall. This plant that has a vase-shaped form puts on red or pink five-petaled flowers in terminal clusters. When not in bloom, this small tree’s dark green elliptical leaves can be up to 10-inches long are very attractive. This option will rarely put on seedpods that are about 8-inches long after it blooms. This option does not like wet roots, so be sure to avoid overwatering it.
Plumeria Stenophylla
Plumeria stenophylia is a shorter option in this plant as it seldom grows about 8-feet tall. While this option also has white flowers, the five petals are much narrower. It is usually effortless to see a pinwheel shape. The narrower leaves on this option are also much smaller and slimmer. Researchers have developed a dwarf version of this plant that seldom grows over 2-feet tall.
Plumeria Pudica
The plumeria pudica usually grows about 15-feet tall, but you can prune it effortlessly. You can choose the size that is right for you, from 6-to-15 feet. The leaves will stay on this option throughout the year. This choice can survive a few days down into the lower 30s. The dark green leaves are usually fiddle-shaped, but spoon-shaped leaves are possible. The white petals on this option overlap slightly.
Plumeria Stenopetala
The plumeria stenopetala is one of the most fragrant options available. This plant puts on widely spaced, narrow white petals, and each flower has a yellow throat. The flowers can have an 8-inch diameter. This option usually only reaches about 5-feet tall, and it has a robust weeping shape. You can prune this option to be an upright plant or put it in a hanging basket.
Choose your favorite plumeria or plant them in different areas of your landscaping in warmer climates. If you are in a colder climate, these plants do wonderful in pots, and some will work in hanging baskets. Enjoy their sweet fragrance and their dark green leaves.
