How Fast Do Plumerias Grow?

By John

Plumeria trees are typically small trees with fragrant flowers that reach a height of 6m in approximately 20 years. The Plumeria trees grow very slowly. Hence, it becomes an excellent house plant that can be grown in containers or pots.

The Plumeria trees bloom in summer (March to April) producing the beautiful flowers used in traditional Hawaiian leis. Plumeria trees are also known as frangipani plants or Hawaiian lei trees. It is a native plant of Central America, the Bahamas, Hawaii, and Mexico.

A Plumeria tree in your home garden or living room means, you will be pleased with the fragrance which fills the air, especially in warm weather. Moreover, care for Plumeria trees is pretty straightforward. You can grow a Plumeria tree, no matter where you live in the world.

Typical Growth Rate of Plumeria Plants

Plant Plumeria comes in various species and colors like Red Plumeria and White flowers. The Plumeria Rubra- Red Plumeria and Plumeria Alba- White Plumeria, both reach a maximum height of 25 feet. Though the annual growth rate is different between the two Plumerias. Some environmental conditions and location factors may affect the growth rate of the plant too. Both of which can add to or hinder the growth of your Plumeria.

The Red Plumeria grows 4 inches of flowers in varying shades of pink or red while the White Plumeria grows about 3 inches of bloom with a yellow center. Even if you don’t have a Plumeria Plant yet in your home, you can easily differentiate between these two colors.

Under optimal and suitable conditions, the Red plumeria grows about 12 to 24 inches per year. Likewise, the White Plumeria grows about 24 to 36 inches per year. You can easily identify the species because of the different lengths of leaves. The Red Plumeria typically grows about 16 inches than the White Plumeria which grows about 12 inches.

Factors That Affect the Growth Rate of Your Plumeria

Various factors like temperature, soil, watering, fertilization, and many more can affect the growth rate of your Plumeria.

Temperature and Humidity Conditions for Fast Growth of Plumeria trees

Plumerias do not grow well in the winter season. If you stay in a hot and humid climate, you can grow Plumeria plants in your home. The ideal temperature for growing Plumeria begins from 60 degrees and ranges up to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. It is not recommended to grow Plumeria in your garden or living room if the temperature there drops and gets cooler, or it will start to drop their leaves.

Humidity Requirement to Grow Plumeria Fast

Even, a light frost can affect the tender branches of Plumeria to some extent. Hotter climates and weather don’t affect this plant much. You will be surprised to know about the suitable humidity for growing Plumeria plants.

A Plumeria plant prefers low to moderate humidity levels. However, if the atmosphere is extremely dry in your home garden or living room, you can place a humidifier next to your plant. It will help in adding more moisture to the air in your house.

How can Soil type and Quality Impact the Growth of Plumeria?

Whether you grow Plumeria using Plumeria seeds or Plumeria cuttings, this plant usually requires fast-draining soil with high levels of nutrients. Moreover, providing your plant enough space so that the root system develops. The potted Plumeria needs hand-mixed compost and a nutrient-rich material that would retain moisture in the potting soil. A fast-draining soil-like cactus mix can act as a great base for your plant. This will help to mitigate the drainage too.

Always try to plant the root ball of your Plumeria tree. This means the soil surface will be at the same depth as it was in the earlier pot. This allows the water to spread evenly in the plant and aid drainage holes.

This also allows your plant to filter down the soil without spilling away or forming puddles.

Watering Your Plumeria Tree

We all have been told to water our plants regularly, but one must know about the correct and required amount for the growth of the plant. The watering requirement of Plumeria house plants is different at different stages of their growth.

If your Plumeria is young, it will require regular watering. However, do not let it sit in damp soil. So, you should water your Plumeria when the top inch of the soil is dry. Avoid watering the leaves of your Plumeria at any point.

When Spring starts, the Plumeria flowers start to bloom. In this period, your Plumeria needs regular watering. If the soil is too dry, it will attract insects and mites. Likewise, if the soil is too wet, it will attract fungal infections. So it becomes more important to care for plumeria plants.

Fertilizer Needs for Your Plumeria for its fast growth

Your Plumeria Plant requires an adequate amount of fertilizer for its proper growth. This includes high potassium and phosphorus fertilizer and less nitrogen. This will help your plant to produce the most fragrant flowers.

In the early spring and summer, you must fertilize your Plumeria. This boosts up brighter and bigger blooms. However, you should stop fertilizing, when the flower drops and temperatures begin to fall in autumn. This is also known as the ‘dormant season’.

Pruning Methods for Your Plumeria

Pruning techniques may be different for different plants but few of the basic methods are the same. Some of them are mentioned below:

You should always remove damaged, dead or diseased branches. You can either prune in summer or in winter. However, pruning in summer will restrict growth, and pruning in winter will encourage flowering.

The young shoots of your plant require delicate care. While large branches should be pruned out immediately to allow the flow of air.

Pruning saws, sharp secateurs, and a sharp knife are some of the must-have tools for pruning your Plumeria.

How to Propagate your Plumeria?

You can grow a Plumeria plant from seed, but most home gardeners propagate their Plumeria by taking the Plumeria cuttings. You can easily propagate your Plumeria plant by following these steps.

Step 1 – Take a section from a healthy plumeria tree, remove the leaves and flowers, and allow the Plumeria to cure for several days.

Step 2 – You can dip the cut end in the rooting hormone. Place it in a moist medium and warm climate until you observe new growth on top.

Repotting Your Plumeria Plant

Under suitable conditions, your Plumeria Plant can grow very rapidly. Therefore, repotting is necessary every 1-2 years. When the roots begin to come out or the growth slows, it is a sign that they need to be sized up.

In Summer or late Spring, move them into a container 2-5” larger than the previous one. Then, you may replant it at the same depth. If you are worried about their growing size, refresh the upper inches of the soil and cut out some of the roots.

Key Takeaways

Plumeria trees are typically small trees with fragrant flowers that reach a height of 6m in 20 years. It becomes an excellent house plant or indoor plant that is eye-pleasing and provides a fragrant smell.

It needs a particular type of climate, water requirement, humidity, and care to grow fast.

A Plumeria plant comes in various species. For example, the Red Plumeria and the White flowers. However, the Red Plumeria trees (Plumeria Rubra) and the White flowers (Plumeria Alba) both reach a maximum height of 25 feet.

Under suitable and optimal conditions, a Plumeria tree grows at its highest potential. However, certain factors such as spider mites, and different insects can hamper the growth of a Plumeria Plant. However, you can mitigate these factors using pests and horticultural oil.

FAQs on Understanding How Fast Plumeria Grows?

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