El Frangipani or Plumeria It is a plant that produces really beautiful flowers, with very cheerful colors and a very pleasant aroma. Although it can grow as a shrub or small tree 2-3 meters high, it is also usually grown in large pots either in patios or even indoors.
However, it has a small problem: it is sensitive to cold and much more to frostHence, the risk of losing it in temperate climates is quite high. But this does not have to worry you too much: follow these tips and you will see how it can better endure winter.
The Frangipani, belonging to the botanical genus Plumeria, it is a normally perennial plant that behaves like deciduous if the climate is cool. There are only 11 accepted species, although 133 have been described. It is native to Mexico, Central America and Venezuela, being cultivated today in all tropical and subtropical regions of the world.
Due to its origin, it should not be grown outdoors throughout the year if temperatures drop below 0ºC, since otherwise we could lose it. To avoid this, it is advisable to place it indoors, in a room where a lot of light from the sun enters and where it is protected from drafts, or to purchase a Plumeria rubra var. acutifolia, which is a species that holds up well to -2ºC.
If we talk about the substrate, it has to have very good sewer system. The roots must be properly aerated in order to develop well. A) Yes, I recommend you use akadama or pumice, or universal growing medium mixed with equal parts perlite. If you choose the first ones, the watering has to be frequent, every 2 or 3 days maximum during the summer and every 5-6 days the rest of the year; On the other hand, if you opt for the latter, the frequency of irrigation during the hottest season will be every 3-4 days, while in autumn-winter it will be every 6-10 days.
Finally, it is important that we fertilize it during spring and summer with mineral fertilizers, like Nitrofoska, adding a small spoonful every 15 days.
I hope that now it is easier for you to keep your frangipani 🙂.