Plumeria rubra, commonly known as Frangipani, Temple Tree, or Red Frangipani, is a deciduous shrub or small tree belonging to the Apocynaceae family. This iconic tropical plant is renowned for its exquisitely fragrant flowers and distinctive growth habit.
Plumeria rubra is characterized by its thick, fleshy branches and large, leathery leaves that cluster at the branch tips. The leaves are oblong to elliptic, with prominent veins that form a distinct pattern near the leaf margins.
The most striking feature of P. rubra is its flowers, which appear in clusters at the branch ends. These flowers are tubular at the base, opening into five spreading lobes. While colors can vary, the classic form has a creamy white exterior with a vibrant yellow center. The blooms are intensely fragrant, particularly in the evening, and typically appear from late spring through fall (May to October).
After leaf fall in winter, the plant’s naturally gnarled and twisted branches become a sculptural feature, adding to its ornamental value. It’s important to note that all parts of the plant contain a milky sap that is toxic and can cause skin irritation, so caution should be exercised when handling.
Plumeria rubra holds cultural significance in many tropical regions. In parts of Southeast Asia, including Xishuangbanna in China, it’s often planted in Buddhist temples, earning it the moniker “temple tree” or “pagoda tree.”
Plumeria rubra exhibits considerable variation in flower color and form, leading to numerous cultivars:
This variety, native to Mexico and parts of South America, features pink to red flowers. It’s less common in cultivation but highly prized for its vibrant blooms.
Often considered the “classic” frangipani, this variety has white flowers with yellow centers. It’s widely cultivated and represents the typical image of Plumeria rubra.
A hybrid variety originating from Mexico, it produces flowers that appear bright red from a distance but reveal complex coloration up close, with hints of white and yellow in the center.
This variety boasts deep red flowers and is popular in horticulture worldwide. In some cultures, it symbolizes hope and renewal.
Plumeria rubra thrives in full sun and warm conditions, typical of its tropical origins. While it prefers consistent moisture, it has good drought tolerance once established. The ideal temperature range for growth is 20-26°C (68-79°F).
Key environmental factors include:
While adaptable, P. rubra is not frost-hardy. In colder climates, it’s often grown in containers and moved indoors for winter protection.
Native to Mexico and Central America, Plumeria rubra has been widely cultivated throughout tropical and subtropical regions globally. In China, it’s commonly grown in southern provinces such as Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan, and Fujian. In some areas of southern Yunnan, it has naturalized and can be found growing wild.
The plant’s ability to thrive in coastal areas, tolerance to salt spray, and its stunning flowers have made it a popular ornamental in many tropical beach destinations worldwide.
Understanding the specific needs and characteristics of Plumeria rubra is crucial for successful cultivation and appreciation of this beautiful tropical species. Whether grown for its fragrant flowers, ornamental form, or cultural significance, P. rubra remains a cherished plant in tropical horticulture.
This deciduous shrub, known as the frangipani tree (Plumeria spp.), typically reaches heights of 5 meters, with some specimens growing up to 8.2 meters tall. The trunk diameter usually ranges from 15 to 20 cm. Its branches are characteristically robust and fleshy, containing abundant latex, and are glabrous (hairless) with a green coloration.
The leaves are notably thick, elongated, and obovate (inverted pear-shaped) to elliptical, measuring 20 to 40 cm in length and 7 to 11 cm in width. The leaf surface is dark green on the adaxial (upper) side and lighter green on the abaxial (lower) side, both surfaces being glabrous.
The cymose inflorescences are terminal, measuring 16 to 25 cm in length and approximately 15 cm in width, and are glabrous. The inflorescence stalks are trichotomous, fleshy, and green, while the pedicels (flower stalks) are 2 to 2.7 cm long and pale red in color.
The flowers feature a white corolla with subtle red markings on the exterior and a yellow interior, measuring 4 to 5 cm in diameter. The corolla tube is cylindrical, 1 to 1.2 cm long and about 4 mm in diameter. The corolla lobes are broad and obovate, overlapping to the left at the base.
Each carpel contains multiple ovules. The fruit consists of twin follicles (capsules) that are broad, divergent, and cylindrical, tapering towards the apex. These follicles measure 11 cm in length and 1.5 cm in diameter, are green in color, and glabrous.
The seeds are obliquely elliptical and flattened, measuring 2 cm long and 1 cm wide, with a membranous wing at the apex approximately 2 cm in length. Flowering occurs from May to October, with fruit ripening typically between July and December.
Soil Selection
Frangipani trees are adaptable to various soil types but thrive in well-draining, loamy soils. After planting or repotting, place the tree in a shaded area for one week, gradually increasing light exposure. After two weeks, move it to a full sun location.
Watering Regimen
While frangipanis prefer consistent moisture, they are drought-tolerant and susceptible to root rot in waterlogged conditions. Water moderately when the top inch of soil feels dry. In spring and autumn, water every 1 to 2 days, increasing frequency in summer. Reduce watering during rainy or overcast periods and ensure proper drainage. In winter, maintain slightly moist soil to prevent desiccation.
Fertilization
During the active growth period (June to November), apply a balanced, liquid fertilizer diluted to half-strength every 10-14 days. During flowering, monitor plant health and provide a phosphorus-rich fertilizer after blooming to support recovery and promote future flowering.
In late October, transition the plant indoors near a south-facing window, ensuring good ventilation and ample light. Maintain indoor temperatures above 10°C (50°F) to prevent premature leaf drop.
Light Requirements
Frangipanis are heliophytes, thriving in full sun conditions. Adequate sunlight promotes vigorous growth, abundant flowering, and enhances fragrance production. Except for the initial week after repotting, provide maximum sun exposure for optimal growth and flowering.
Repotting
Frangipani trees grow rapidly and benefit from annual repotting in spring. Choose a pot 1-2 inches larger in diameter than the current container. After repotting, water thoroughly and provide shade for a week before gradually reintroducing to full sun.
Cold Protection
Frangipanis are not cold-hardy and can suffer damage or death in severe winters. When temperatures approach 10°C (50°F), move plants indoors to a sunny location. Maintain indoor temperatures between 10-15°C (50-59°F), avoiding direct heat from appliances to minimize leaf drop.
Ensure winter temperatures remain above 5°C (41°F) to prevent frost damage and ensure successful spring growth. In colder climates, consider overwintering plants in a greenhouse or sunroom for optimal protection.
Frangipani is readily propagated through cuttings. In tropical and subtropical regions suitable for outdoor cultivation, cuttings can be taken year-round. Select healthy branches that are 1-2 years old, cutting 20-30 cm segments from the base.
Allow the white latex that exudes from the cut to dry naturally, or rinse it off with clean water. Leave the cutting in a cool, ventilated area for 2-3 days before planting; freshly cut branches with sap are susceptible to infection and rot.
Plant the cuttings in a well-draining mixture of soil and sand in a shaded area. Water every other day to maintain moisture. Roots typically form within 30-35 days.
As long as the soil is not waterlogged but remains moist, success is almost guaranteed. Frangipani isn’t particular about soil type but prefers a loose, organic-rich medium. Initially provide shade, then gradually acclimate to full sun.
For large-scale outdoor cultivation, use thicker cuttings and remove side buds during the seedling stage to promote a tall main stem. This step is unnecessary when cultivating frangipani as a dwarf tree or for container flowering.
While layering can be performed during the growing season, it’s rarely used in production due to the ease of cutting propagation.
Although frangipani produces few fruits, seeds can be collected from most varieties in outdoor cultivation. When the capsule fruit matures, it naturally splits open.
Harvest the seeds and sow them in a protected, shaded area using a sandy, loamy nursery bed. The optimal germination temperature is 18-24°C, and seeds should be sown immediately after harvesting.
Space seeds 5-6 cm apart and lightly cover with sand or coconut husk. Keep the substrate consistently moist. Germination typically occurs in 8-12 days during spring and about 5 days in summer.
Maintain regular care, keeping the seedbed moist but not waterlogged. Transplant seedlings to 20 cm x 30 cm nursery bags when they reach 10-15 cm, and transfer to the field when they attain 40-50 cm in height.
Grafting frangipani is relatively straightforward due to strong rootstock-scion compatibility, resulting in high success rates.
In tropical and subtropical regions like South China, grafting can be performed year-round, with spring and autumn being optimal. Aim for periods when the average daily temperature exceeds 18°C, avoiding extended rainy seasons in winter and summer.
Cut scion branches to approximately 20 cm, preferably using terminal buds. The grafting site should match the scion size, employing the whip grafting method. Make diagonal cuts on both rootstock and scion at a 20-25° angle to ensure perfect alignment.
Gently remove sap from both surfaces with a cloth or rinse in clean water and dry appropriately. Align the cut surfaces, ensuring cambium contact if sizes differ. Secure with plastic wrapping. For branchless trunks, use the approach grafting method.
When approach grafting, the scion cut angle can be slightly larger. Carve a matching triangular cut on the rootstock, align cambium layers, secure with plastic wrap, and seal the upper angle to prevent water ingress.
After grafting, protect the union from rain and avoid disturbance. Once healed, the scion will quickly produce new leaves during the growing season. Subsequent care follows standard practices for flowering plants.
Frangipani generally experiences few diseases. However, Plumeria Rust (Coleosporium plumeriae Pat.) is common in Hawaii. It appears as orange-yellow lesions or powder on leaf undersides and can be treated with a 25% Rust Inhibitor solution, diluted 1500-2000 times.
This disease typically occurs after prolonged humidity and may cause significant defoliation. Despite the effectiveness of fungicides, they’re rarely used due to the infrequent occurrence of severe rust damage.
Scale insects, mealybugs, and aphids can lead to sooty mold infestations on stems and leaves. These pests secrete honeydew, which provides a substrate for sooty mold fungi. While primarily affecting appearance, it doesn’t significantly impede growth.
Ants facilitate these infestations by providing nutrients and transport for the insects. Therefore, insect control is crucial in managing sooty mold.
Frangipani can also be affected by stem borers (longhorn beetles), thrips, leafhoppers, greenhouse whiteflies, spiral whiteflies, and mites.
Stem borer damage is particularly severe as they infest stem interiors and resist insecticides. Removing infested branches is an effective control method.
Regular insecticide application to prevent adult egg-laying is labor-intensive and thus uncommon. However, spraying branches with Imidacloprid can prevent stem borer (larvae) infestations for up to four weeks.
Ornamental Value
Plumeria possesses exceptional ornamental value due to its harmoniously arranged, naturally beautiful form. Mature Plumeria trees develop sturdy, vigorous trunks supporting a domed canopy filled with lush green foliage.
The flowering period of Plumeria typically extends from April to December, with blooms emerging at the ends of bare branches or simultaneously with new leaf growth. This extended blooming season is one of Plumeria’s most prized characteristics.
Each inflorescence blooms progressively, and different branches flower in succession, creating a long-lasting, elegant display of blossoms interspersed among the foliage. A notable feature of Plumeria is its delicate, fragrant scent that persists even after the flowers have fallen, adding another dimension to its ornamental appeal.
Plumeria serves multiple purposes in landscape design, offering greening, beautification, and fragrance. It is versatile in its application, thriving when planted individually as a specimen tree, in groups for a more dramatic effect, or near water features to enhance aquatic landscapes. It has become an essential species for greening efforts in southern China, widely used in parks, courtyards, green belts, and lawns in Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan, and other southern regions. In northern areas with colder climates, Plumeria is primarily cultivated in containers for ornamental purposes, allowing for protection during harsh winters.
Economic Value
While the white-flowered variety is most common, Plumeria also comes in red and yellow cultivars. All varieties can be used to extract essential oils, which are highly valued in the production of high-end cosmetics, soaps, and food additives. These extracts command significant commercial value due to their unique fragrance and properties.
In Guangdong province, dried white Plumeria flowers are traditionally used to make herbal tea, adding both flavor and potential health benefits. The wood of Plumeria trees, being light and soft, has applications in crafting musical instruments, dining utensils, and furniture, though it’s not as widely used as some hardwoods due to its relative softness.
Medicinal Value
In traditional Chinese medicine, dried Plumeria flowers are employed to alleviate heat, moisten the lungs, and soothe sore throats. Its therapeutic applications extend to treating various ailments such as throat pain, heatstroke, dysentery, and abdominal discomfort. Plumeria can be combined with other traditional Chinese medicinal herbs to enhance its efficacy. It is particularly effective in treating autumn coughs, as it possesses expectorant and lung-clearing properties.
Pharmacological Effects
Scientific research has revealed several significant pharmacological properties of Plumeria:
In Xishuangbanna, China, and several Southeast Asian countries, Plumeria holds cultural significance and is widely planted in Buddhist temples. It is considered one of the “Five Trees and Six Flowers” in Buddhist tradition, earning it the monikers “Temple Tree” and “Pagoda Tree.”
Flower Language
In the language of flowers, Plumeria symbolizes nurturing hope, resurrection, and rebirth. Despite lacking mysterious legends or an overtly elegant temperament, its simple five-petaled structure epitomizes freshness and embodies the concept of hope.
National and City Flowers
Plumeria holds official status as the national flower of Laos, reflecting its cultural importance in Southeast Asia. In China, it serves as the city flower of Zhaoqing in Guangdong Province, highlighting its local significance and widespread cultivation in southern regions.
Peggie was once a high school mathematics teacher, but she set aside her chalkboard and textbooks to follow her lifelong passion for flowers. After years of dedication and learning, she not only established a thriving flower shop but also founded this blog, “Flowers Library”. If you have any questions or wish to learn more about flowers, feel free to contact Peggie.
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