Frangipani Plant (Plumeria rubra) Care Indoors; Watering, Fertilizer, Propagation, Problems
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Plumeria rubra also called Frangipani Plant, Red Jasmine or Temple Tree is among popular flowering plants and is grown for its large clusters of flowers borne at the ends of branches.
The flowers are strongly fragrant, giving off their fragrance in the morning and in the evening which is similar to rose, citrus and cinnamon.
The flower colour ranges from common pink to white with shades of yellow in the center of the flower and the fruits are cylindrical pods but are rare when grown indoors.
Red Jasmine requires regular pruning to maintain it small and manageable as it can become unruly if let unpruned.
Botanical name: Plumeria rubra
Family: Apocynaceae
Common names: Frangipani, Red Jasmine, Temple Tree
Origin
Plumeria rubra is native range extends from tropical regions of central Mexico, Central America, Columbia and Venezuela and it is cultivated in the tropical regions of the world.
In its natural habitat, Frangipani grows as a small tree or large shrub, basking in full sunlight and warm temperatures year-round. Indoors, it grows slower and remains more compact, which actually works in favor of indoor gardeners with limited space. It also blooms less frequently than outdoor.
Is Frangipani Plant toxic?
Yes. All parts of Frangipani are toxic to both humans and pets. If ingested, it can cause nausea, diarrhea and vomiting. It produces a sap which can cause dermatitis in sensitive skin therefore, always wear gloves when handling this plant and keep out of the reach of children and pets to avoid any mishaps.
Where to Buy
If you are looking to acquire Red Jasmines for your plant collection, you may obtain these plants online from Etsy (Link to Etsy).
How to Care for Plumeria rubra Indoors
To care for Frangipani Plant indoors, give it bright light with 4-6 hours of sunshine, warmth of 18-270C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.
Plumeria rubra requires repotting only when it becomes pot-bound. Regular pruning is needed to keep it neat, encourage a bushy, compact growth and rejuvenate growth. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to provide them.
Watering
How often should I water indoor Plumeria rubra?
Water Plumeria rubra liberally in spring and summer while allowing the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Maintain the soil moderately moist and avoid overwater as it can lead to rotting, yellowing, drooping and leaf drop.
Cut down on watering in fall and winter to keep the soil slightly moist as the plant enters a dormant phase at this time. However, do not allow the soil to dry out completely as underwatering can result in wilting, drooping, yellowing and leaf loss.
Use tepid (room temperature) water to prevent cold shock to the roots which can lead to stunted growth and leaf drop. Avoid chlorinated water to prevent browning of leaf edges.
Ascertain that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is well-draining to prevent waterlogging as it can lead to root-rot and death of the plant. Always empty the catch plate or saucer to avoid having the plant sitting on water.
Light Requirements
Do Frangapani Plants like sun or shade?
Frangipani Plant grows best in bright light with some sunshine (at least 4-6 hours of sunshine daily). However, keep it away from hot midday sunlight to avoid sunscorch on the leaves.
Plumeria rubra will be leggy and will not flower when grown under too little light, therefore, consider investing in grow lights if the natural lighting is not enough.
Rotate the pot regularly to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for uniform growth and prevent lopsided growth.
Temperature & Humidity
Frangipani Plant flourishes in a warmth of 18-270C. Keep it away from sources of drafts like AC units, hot air vents, drafty windows, windy doors and others to prevent stunted growth, drooping, yellowing and crispy leaf tips and edges.
Plumeria rubra blossoms in a humidity of 50-55%. Where the air is too dry, step-up humidity by setting the pot on a wet pebble tray or by use of a cool mist humidifier. Maintain a good air circulation to reduce occurence of fungal diseases.
Should I mist my Frangipani Plant?
No. It is not advisable to mist your Frangipani Plant as it promotes fungal diseases infestations. In addition, misting is not considered as an effective way of raising humidity.
Fertilizer
What is the best feed for a Frangipani Plant?
Feed Frangipani Plant with a phosphorous-rich, water-soluble fertilizer every 4 weeks during the growing season (spring and summer) to encourage flowering.
You may also go for organic options like compost tea or fish emulsion, especially if you prefer natural methods. A perfect option is Epsoma organic fertilizer.
Stop feeding in the cold season (fall and winter) as growth is minimal at this time and feeding at this time can cause fertilizer burn and death of the plant.
To prevent salts build up which is indicated by a white crust on the soil surface, regularly flush the soil. Run a stream of water through the soil until water comes out through the drainage hole. Allow the stream to run for some time to clear as much salt as possible.
Potting Soil
The best soil for Frangipani Plant should be a rich, well-draining soil mix that mimics its natural environment. A blend of 2 parts of potting soil and 1 part perlite is good as it ensures proper aeration while still providing nutrients.
Repotting
Repot Frangipani Plant at the beginning of the growing season in a pot one size larger than the current one; an oversized pot may retain too much moisture, increasing the risk of root-rot. Repot only when the plant is pot-bound as it blooms best when slightly root-bound.
Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining to prevent waterlogging to avoid root-rot and eventual loss of the plant.
The mature plants can be top-dressed by replacing the top 3-4 inches of soil with fresh potting mixture. Check out these pots with drainage holes on Amazon.
Pruning & Maintenance
Prune Frangipani Plant by removing dead blooms and leaves to maintain the plant neat and also discourage pests and diseases.
Regularly pinch off the growing tips to encourage growth of a bushy and compact plant.
Cutback the stems after flowering to 1/3 of their height to encourage new growth and keep the plant compact. Use clean, sharp scissors.
Clean the leaves by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust and also discourage pest infestations.
Frangipani Plant Winter Care
During winter, Frangipani Plant enters dormancy; the leaves fall and growth slows down dramatically. This is normal characteristic of this plant and should not be a cause for concern.
Decrease watering significantly to keep the soil slightly moist as the plant does not need much water at this time.
Stop fertilizing, and ensure the plant stays warm and bright. Proper winter care prepares the plant for vigorous growth when temperatures warm up in spring.
Plumeria rubra Propagation
Frangipani Plant propagation is best done at the beginning of the growing season, from stem cuttings. The cuttings can be rooted either in water or in soil.
Taking Frangipani Plant stem cuttings
Take a stem cutting of about 4-6 inches from a healthy plant while ensuring each cutting has at least 2 leaf nodes.
Strip off the lower leaves to expose the leaf nodes as this is where new roots will form.
Dip the lower cut end of the cutting in a rooting hormone to hasten rooting.
1. Rooting Frangipani Plant stem cuttings in water
- Submerge 2-3 inches of stem in a jar of clean water while ensuring at least one leaf node is below the water surface.
- Position the set up in a well-lit place away from direct sunlight to prevent scorching.
- Change the water every 5-7 days until roots have developed.
- Transfer the new plant into individual pots in moist, well-draining soil when the roots are about 2-3 inches long.
- Keep the soil moist until new growth has emerged on the new plant.
- Allow the new plant to be well established before moving the pots to their permanent position after which you can begin routine.
2. Rooting Frangipani Plant stem cuttings in soil
- Insert 2-3 inches of lower cut end of the cutting in moist, free-draining soil.
- Cover the set up with clear polythene to create a greenhouse effect to promote rooting of the cuttings.
- Place the set up in a warm, brightly lit spot away from direct sunlight.
- Once rooting has taken place, gradually remove the polythene sheet over a period of two weeks to aclimate the new plants to the ordinary growing conditions.
- Allow the new plants to be well established before transplanting into individual pots after which you can begin routine care.
Plumeria rubra Problems & Solutions
Frangipani Plant problems are yellow leaves, lack of blooms, flowerbud drop, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems, their remedies and solutions.
Yellow leaves
Why are the leaves on my Frangipani Plant turning yellow?
Some of the causes of yellow leaves on your Frangipani Plant are inconsistent watering, soggy soil, temperature stress, low light, nutrients deficiency, salts buildup or aging
How to fix it
Inconsistent watering: Do not water on a schedule; water the plant when the top 2-3 inches of soil dry out but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
Soggy soil: Use a well-draining soil and a pot with a drainage hole.
Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like windy doors, drafty windows, AC units, hot air vents, heat sources among others.
Low light: Position the plant in bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunshine or use a grow light if the natural lighting is not enough.
Nutrients deficiency: Feed the plant with an organic plant food every 4 weeks in spring and summer but stop feeding in fall and winter.
Salts buildup: Regularly, leach out accumulated salts by running a stream of water through the soil until it drains through the drainage hole.
Aging: It is natural for the older leaves to turn yellow, brown and drop as the plant matures.
Lack of blooms
Why is my indoor Frangipani Plant not flowering?
Your Frangipani Plant is not flowering due to too little light, lack of nutrients, temperature stress, inconsistent watering or soggy soil.
How to encourage Frangipani to bloom indoors
Too little light: Move the plant to a brighter spot where it will receive bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunshine or instal a grow light where natural light is insufficient.
Lack of nutrients: Feed the plant with a phosphorous-rich, water-soluble fertilizer every 4 weeks in the growing season. Avoid Nitrogen-rich fertilizers as they promote foliage growth at the expense of flowers.
Temperature stress: Keep the plant from drafts like windy doors, drafty windows, AC units, heat sources among others to maintain a warmth of 18-270C.
Inconsistent watering: Do not water on a schedule; water when the top 2-3 inches of soil dry out but do not let the soil dry out completely.
Soggy soil: Use a pot with a drainage hole and well-draining soil.
Flowerbuds drop
Flowerbud drop on Frangipani Plant is caused by inconsistent watering, soggy soil, dry air or drafts.
How to fix it
Inconsistent water: Water when the top 2-3 inches of soil dry out but never allow the soil to dry out completely.
Soggy soil: Use a free-draining soil and a pot that has a drainage hole.
Dry air: Set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a cool mist humidifier or group the plants together to increase humidity.
Drafts: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts to maintain a constantly warm environment.
Pests
Common pests on Frangipani are spider mites, scale insects and aphids which are especially prevalent in dry air conditions.
How to fix it
- Isolate the infested plant to prevent spread to the rest of the plants.
- Treat the infested plant with neem oil or an insecticidal soap as recommended by the manufacturers.
- Regularly inspect the plant under the leaves for these pests and carry out timely control measures.
- Keep the plant well pruned to discourage the pests.
- To raise humidity, use a cool mist humidifier, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or group the plants together.
Diseases
Frangipani Plant is prone to the following diseases:
1. Root-rot disease which is promoted by soggy soil. It presents as general yellowing and browning accompanied by rotting followed by plant collapse.
How to fix it
- Carefully, slip the plant out of its pot, wash off the soil and inspect the roots.
- Brown-black, mushy roots indicate root-rot; cut them away. In addition, cut away any stems showing any signs of rot.
- Treat the healthy roots with a copper-based fungicide as recommended by the manufacturer.
- Disinfect the pot with the fungicidal solution or use a fresh pot to repot the plant in fresh potting soil.
- Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is well-draining to prevent the soil from getting soggy.
- Water the plant with the fungicidal solution and place it in a warm, brightly-lit spot.
- Withhold watering until new growth appears and avoid overwatering and soggy soil thereafter.
2. Leaf spot disease which is prevalent in humid conditions coupled with poor air circulation. It presents as brown, soft spots on the leaves.
How to fix it
- Remove the affected leaves immediately to minimize further spread.
- Treat the affected plant with a neem oil as per the manufacturers' instructions.
- Ensure a good air flow to reduce the disease occurence.
- Avoid wetting the foliage during watering.
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