Sign in or sign up
Project list
Sign in to your account
With project lists you can...
Please sign in or create an account to use Project Lists
Name: frangipani (Plumeria sp. and cvs).
Height: 5–8m with age, canopy often as wide.
Foliage: deciduous. Large (20–30cm long × 10cm wide), deep green, distinct veins and mid-rib.
Climate: tropics, sub-tropics, sheltered location in warm temperate, and microclimates in cold temperate.
Soil: free-draining to sandy soil. Will perform best with extra organic matter in the soil.
Position: full sun, protected from winds
Flowering: varies by region, from December through until April.
Feeding: not essential, although a spring/summer feed is beneficial.
Watering: during warmer months if needed. Avoid winter watering.
The frangipani is a small tree with a distinctly tropical appearance. The richly fragrant flowers appear across the warmer months, and range from white with a yellow centre to vibrant pinks, yellows, pink-yellow-orange mixes (often called “fruit salad”) and dark shades of mahogany-red. Some reds are so dark they're sometimes described as “black”. With age, the plant develops a broad, spreading crown, with the branching often starting just above ground level.
The most commonly grown species are deciduous. There are evergreen species, but they are generally only suitable for tropical and sub-tropical regions.
Whether grown in the ground or in big pots, no tropical-look, resort style, Balinese or modern Aussie coastal garden is complete without a frangipani or two. You can even plant a perfumed rainbow! The choice of flower colours is enormous, and the perfume is divine.
Frangipani is excellent grown against sunny walls, providing cooling summer shade while letting winter sun flow through. It can also be a real problem solver, as it will thrive in sandy soil that many plants can't handle.
And if you only have a balcony, you can still have a frangipani! They can do very well in large pots and planters too.
As frangipani hails originally from tropical regions, its best performance will be in the tropics and sub-tropics. However, if protected from cold winds and frost, it can also grow well, albeit more slowly, in cooler zones.
In cooler areas, select a north-facing spot that will create a suitably warm microclimate. Frangipani will tolerate a wide range of soil types, provided drainage is excellent. Avoid locations where soil may remain wet, especially across the cooler months, and avoid windy spots, as frangipani branches are brittle.
Follow these planting tips to ensure your frangipani will thrive:
Frangipani is a very easy-care plant. If conditions are dry in the warmer months, water the plant as the leaves and flowers are developing. Avoid watering your frangipani while it is dormant (leafless).
Fertilising isn't necessary, but will improve performance. Apply a controlled-release fertiliser around the edge of the canopy line in late spring or early summer.
Occasionally, you may need to prune your frangipani to restrict size, tidy a broken branch or to remove an inconvenient branch. On older trees, look for any branches that have started rubbing or crossing over, or have stopping producing foliage or flowers, and remove them.
Frangipani rust generally appears shortly before leaf fall, and shows up as discolouring of leaves above, and orange spots on their under-surface. Thoroughly spray all leaf surfaces with a suitable fungicide such as Yates Rose Shield and repeat weekly. Any fallen leaves should be promptly removed, sealed in a plastic bag and disposed of in the regular bin (not the compost).
Scale insects are found on stems or leaves. They look like small white or brown lumps. These can easily be treated with a suitable horticultural spray oil.
Frangipani grows very easily from cuttings. Your cutting should be a growth tip at least 10–15cm long. Ensure the cutting is cleanly cut, not crushed, and put it somewhere warm and shady until the sap seals.
Once dry, fill a suitable-sized pot with a free-draining potting mix or propagating mix. Put the cutting in, and support it if required. Put it in a warm spot and only water when dry.
You can grow a new plant from even very large cuttings – just ensure they have adequate support as they grow.
Magnolia: the tree with possibly the biggest, boldest and most breathtakingly flowering display.
Crepe myrtle: another flowering tree that can be a beautiful addition to any garden.
Hibiscus: add a tropical touch with this Hawaiian flowering beauty.
Check out our huge range of plants now and get your garden growing!
