Tropical
Plumeria (Frangipani)
Plumeria rubra · Apocynaceae
Also called: Frangipani, Temple Tree, Lei Flower
Plumeria (Frangipani) (Plumeria rubra) is a low-water tropical well suited to Tucson and the low desert. It's a moderate-growing tropical.
Plumeria (Frangipani) at a glance
- Water use
- Low (established)
- Sun
- Full sun in Tucson—needs at least 6 hours for best bloom, ideally with some protection from the most intense reflected afternoon heat in the hottest sites. More sun yields more flowers.
- Mature size
- Typically 6-12 ft tall in Tucson (can reach 15-20 ft in frost-free climates); often kept smaller in pots
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Bloom
- White, yellow, pink, red, or multicolor; highly fragrant, Late spring through summer/early fall
- Cold hardiness
- Frost-tender; damaged below ~40°F and by frost. In Tucson, grow in containers to shelter in a garage during winter, or plant in a very warm microclimate (south-facing wall) and protect from frost; it drops leaves and goes dormant in winter regardless.
- Soil
- Fast-draining, gritty soil or cactus/succulent mix; in the ground amend caliche heavily and plant on a mound. Will rot in poorly drained desert soil.
- Native range
- Mexico, Central America, and tropical South America
- Best used as
- Fragrant flowering accent in containers, Poolside and patio tropical focal point, Cut flowers and leis
- Wildlife
- Fragrant flowers can attract sphinx (hawk) moths; otherwise limited wildlife value.
- Toxicity
- Mildly toxic. Milky sap can irritate skin and eyes and is mildly toxic if ingested; keep pets and children from chewing leaves/stems. Wear gloves when handling cuttings.
How to grow Plumeria (Frangipani) in Tucson & the low desert
Watering
Grown as a warm-season container or in-ground tropical in Tucson, dormant and leafless in winter. Water regularly when actively growing in spring through fall (allow the top inch to dry between waterings); stop or greatly reduce water in winter dormancy to prevent rot. Excellent drainage is essential—it stores water in its succulent stems.
Fertilizer & nutrients
Feed during the growing season with a high-phosphorus 'bloom' fertilizer (e.g., 10-30-10) every 2-3 weeks to maximize flowering; ease off by late summer. Add iron/micronutrients if foliage yellows in alkaline soil. Do not fertilize during winter dormancy.
Pruning & care
Prune in spring as it leafs out to shape and control size; cuttings root easily after callusing. Remove frost-damaged tips in spring. Wear gloves—the milky sap is irritating.
Notes
A beloved Tucson container plant—its drought-storing succulent stems suit the dry climate, but frost is the limiting factor, so most growers keep it potted and move it into shelter for winter. It naturally drops all leaves and goes dormant in the cool season, so withhold water then. Plant in the warmest, sunniest spot for the most fragrant blooms.
Sources: University of Arizona Cooperative Extension; Arizona Master Gardeners (Pima County); Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum