Growing plumeria in pots is a great way to enjoy them no matter where you live. In this post, I’ll show you all you need to know in order to be successful.
Learning how to grow plumeria in pots is a good option if you don’t have space in your yard, or you live somewhere that’s too cold to leave them outside year round.
But caring for them in containers is a little different than it is for those planted in the ground.
In this detailed guide you’ll get all the information you need to grow plumerias in containers.
From how to choose the right pots, soil, and location, to how to water, fertilize, and much more, you’ll find it all here.
Growing Plumeria In Pots vs Ground
Plumerias thrive in pots, and it allows you to keep them anywhere. Whether that’s a sunny place in your garden, a porch, or a bright corner inside your house.
It’s especially great for anyone living in cooler climates, since you can easily overwinter them indoors.
Another benefit is that you have complete control of the type of soil, and containers also make it much easier to give them plenty of fertilizer.
Related Post: How To Grow & Care For Plumeria Plants
Do Plumerias Do Well In Pots?
Plumerias do very well in pots, and it gives you the ability to control their size, nutrients, and moisture levels.
It also allows you to put them wherever you want. They can spend spring and summer outdoors, then you can move them to somewhere warmer when the fall temperatures start to drop.
How Big Do Plumerias Get In Pots?
Potted plumeria plants can get very large, but it’s dependent on the container size. They’ll grow to fill their given space.
If you put them in a big pot, you can expect a large tree over time.
They can live in the same pot for many years if you trim both the branches and the roots as needed to manage the overall size.
How To Grow Plumeria In Pots
Choosing the right pot for your plumeria is key for growing them in containers. Let’s talk about how to give them the best home.
Different Types Of Plumeria To Grow In Pots
Some large or tall tree varieties of frangipani can be difficult to grow in pots. Instead choose a compact, dwarf specimen to make managing the size easier. Here are a few good options.
- Plumeria obtusa “Dwarf Pink Singapore” – This petite variety has pink-edged white flowers that can bloom year round.
- Plumeria rubra “Penang Peach” – This type stays compact and features white flowers with yellow centers.
- Plumeria rubra “Thailand Red” – The very compact nature of this one makes it perfect for containers, and it produces profuse yellow-pink blooms.
- Plumeria rubra “Dwarf Watermelon” – Also known as “Dwarf Cherry Clusters”, this variety has abundant bright pink flowers.
Best Pots For Plumeria
For the best success, it’s important to use a good pot for your plumeria. They like a lot of water, but hate wet feet, so choose one with drainage holes.
Size is also important. It needs to support the weight of the top-heavy plants without tipping over. But it’s best to avoid one that is much larger in proportion.
If the container is too big, it’s easier to overwater. Plus it will result in a much larger plant over time, which may or may not be ideal for you.
As far as what it’s made out of, many times the material you choose comes down to personal preference.
Plastic and fabric are good options because they’re lightweight enough to move them if you need to.
Terracotta and ceramic are heavy enough to avoid tipping, but the extra weight also makes them much more difficult to move.
Related Post: How To Propagate Plumeria Plants
Best Soil For Plumeria In Pots
It’s important to always use a high quality, fresh, sterile potting soil for plumeria in containers.
Never use cheap dirt or soil from the ground, as they can introduce pests and disease, become compacted, and are often nutritionally depleted.
The ideal medium is slightly acidic and free-draining. A sandy commercial mix can work well.
Or, make your own by combining equal parts regular potting soil, pumice or perlite, and coarse sand.
Tips For Planting Plumeria In Pots
When it comes time for planting, slide it out of the existing pot. If the roots are forming a circular pattern, then carefully loosen and straighten them out.
Center your plumeria in the new pot, and bury it at the same depth it was in the original one.
Fill in around the rootball with soil, gently packing it in as you go. Once the container is full, give it a light drink of water. After everything settles, fill in any holes that appear.
How To Care For Plumeria In Pots
Once you understand what they need, it isn’t difficult to care for a potted frangipani. In this section you’ll find detailed tips for how to keep yours thriving in a container.
Watering Plumeria In Pots
Plumeria like lots of water, but too much can cause issues with rot, mildew, and disease, which is especially a problem in pots.
It’s best to wait until the top 2-3” of soil is dry, and then give it a slow, deep drink. Let all the excess drain out of the bottom of the container so they’re never left soaking. A moisture meter is a helpful tool if you tend to overdo it.
Cold can shock them, and they’re sensitive to some of the chemicals and salts in tap water, which can build up in the container. So use room temperature rain or distilled water rather than tap, if possible.
Fertilizing Containerized Plumeria
Plumerias are heavy feeders, and those in containers will need a lot more fertilizer than ones in the ground.
A high phosphorus liquid flowering plant food is a great option. Start feeding them with a 1/4 or 1/2 dose in late winter or very early spring, working up to full strength over a month or so.
Then feed them every time you water until late summer, and stop fertilizing during the fall and winter months.
They really can take a lot, especially if you want them to bloom, so it’s perfectly safe to use slow-release granules once a month during the warmer months as well.
Pruning Plumeria In Pots
Regularly pruning your potted plumeria is the best way to maintain the size and encourage bushier, compact new growth.
Late winter and early spring are the best times to do it. You can remove dead or diseased portions as needed throughout the year.
Use sharp, sterile heavy-duty pruners to cut branches back to the desired length. Two or three new ones will emerge from just below that point.
FAQs
Here I’ve answered some of the most commonly asked questions about growing plumeria in pots. If yours isn’t on the list, please add it to the comments section below.
Do plumerias like large pots?
Plumerias like pots that are proportionate to their size, however they will eventually grow to fill a large one. But big pots are heavier and harder to move, so keep that in mind if you’ll ever need to relocate it.
How big of a pot does a plumeria need?
A plumeria needs a pot that’s big enough to support their height without tipping over. A good estimate is 1 gallon in size for every 1 foot of trunk.
What kind of pot is best for plumeria?
The best kind of pot for plumeria is one with good drainage. Plastic and fabric are lightweight and easy to move, while terracotta is great if you live in a rainy region, and heavy enough to keep them from tipping over.
How do I get my potted plumeria to bloom?
The key to get your potted plumeria to bloom is giving it plenty of fertilizer and full sun. They’re very heavy feeders, and need a lot of nutrients in order to flower, especially in containers.
Growing plumeria in pots is a great way to enjoy them no matter where you live. Use the tips in this guide to create an ideal container environment so they can thrive for years to come.
If you want to learn all there is to know about maintaining healthy houseplants year round, then you need my Winter Houseplant Care eBook. It’ll show you how to keep any indoor plant thriving. Download your copy now.
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Share your tips for growing plumeria in pots in the comments section below.
Amy Andrychowicz
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