Plumerias - Can You Grow Them?

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The incomparable ‘Dwarf Pink Singapore’ is a true dwarf, and even a mature specimen will not be much taller than six feet at maturity.

Cultivars such as ‘Penang Peach’ have long been cherished for their compact growth, and recently ‘Divine’ and ‘Thumbelina’ have made quite a splash. These smaller specimens have made Plumerias available to a much larger market than the tropical and subtropical southern regions of our country.

Growers outside of the native climate zone for these plants are faced with several challenges. First of all, the plant must never be exposed to frost. This means you will need a safe environment to overwinter your Plumeria. Fortunately, the plants have a dormant period in the winter and will be happy in a frost-free corner of a shed or garage. They do not need water or light during this time.

Also, you always have to provide well draining soil. A bag of ready-made compost from the Big Box stores will not do.

The biggest challenge facing the northern grower is the intensity of the light spectrum that a plumeria needs to show its true colors. I briefly grew Plumerias in England, and the best coloring you can hope to achieve there is a pale, pastel colored flower. If you are tempted by the brilliant bright hues of a variety such as ‘Jeannie Moragne’ or ‘Col’s Cooktown Sunset’, you will almost certainly be disappointed when you grow them in a northern area without supplemental light. However, many of the paler colored blooms, especially white, are intensely fragrant so there certainly is a reward for trying to grow them outside of their native zones. Why not give it a try?